BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD RELISHED THE step up in trip to showcase her best once again on Merseyside and secure Aintree Hurdle glory.
Gordon Elliott’s star mare had secured top honours over this course and distance as a novice in 2024 but has since predominantly raced over shorter where she has been one of the standout performers in the two-mile hurdling division.
After coming off second best in another tussle with Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, she was sent off the 13-8 favourite to gain compensation in the hands of Jack Kennedy and was always towards the fore alongside Potters Charm.
Having led the runners into the home straight and over three flights from home, Dan Skelton’s The New Lion emerged on the scene looking a real danger in the hands of the trainer’s brother, Harry.
However, a costly error at the last put paid to his chances allowing Brighterdaysahead to scoot clear for a two-and-a-quarter-length success in what could turn out to be her hurdling swansong.
– Jango Baie gains Cheltenham compensation –
Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Jango Baie went one better when taking full advantage of a fall from Impaire Et Passe in the Aintree Bowl.
Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old was the even-money favourite to end his season on a high, having valiantly chased home Gaelic Warrior in the blue riband at Prestbury Park.
While his jumping was far from perfect for much of the three-mile-one-furlong journey, he was back on the bridle turning for home and produced his best leap of the race two fences from home, the same obstacle at which the Willie Mullins-trained Impaire Et Passe came to grief when travelling stylishly.
His exit left Jango Baie and Nico de Boinville out on their own and he passed the post with 16 lengths in hand over Dan Skelton’s gallant veteran Protektorat, who was in turn well clear of the only other finisher Pic D’Orhy. Spillane’s Tower was disappointingly pulled up.
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Jango Baie and Nico de Boinville bounce back!
A comfortable win in the Racing Welfare Bowl Chase 🥇
– Koktail Divin takes full advantage of Lulamba blunder –
Koktail Divin bounced back from defeat at Cheltenham as Lulamba came unstuck in the William Hill Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree.
Ridden by Darragh O’Keeffe for Henry de Bromhead, the 3-1 chance raced handily throughout in a field of five, in which Nicky Henderson’s Lulamba was the 1-2 favourite.
However, Lulamba and Nico de Boinville parted company at the 10th fence, and while 22-1 shot Blueking d’Oroux led he had Brown Advisory non-stayer Koktail Divin in his slipstream and it was the latter who pressed on to prevail by two and a quarter lengths.
Mange Tout refused to be beaten in the Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree.
Trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Jack Kennedy, the filly was a 5-1 chance as she turned up at the meeting fresh having last been seen in February.
In a field of 10 she was always travelling, and after taking up the lead she fought off a challenge from Triumph Hurdle fourth Selma De Vary (9-4 favourite) – who was one place in front of the winner when they met at the Dublin Racing Festival – to prevail by three-quarters of a length.
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Aintree Festival round-up: Big wins for Brighterdaysahead and Koktail Divin
BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD RELISHED THE step up in trip to showcase her best once again on Merseyside and secure Aintree Hurdle glory.
Gordon Elliott’s star mare had secured top honours over this course and distance as a novice in 2024 but has since predominantly raced over shorter where she has been one of the standout performers in the two-mile hurdling division.
After coming off second best in another tussle with Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, she was sent off the 13-8 favourite to gain compensation in the hands of Jack Kennedy and was always towards the fore alongside Potters Charm.
Having led the runners into the home straight and over three flights from home, Dan Skelton’s The New Lion emerged on the scene looking a real danger in the hands of the trainer’s brother, Harry.
However, a costly error at the last put paid to his chances allowing Brighterdaysahead to scoot clear for a two-and-a-quarter-length success in what could turn out to be her hurdling swansong.
– Jango Baie gains Cheltenham compensation –
Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Jango Baie went one better when taking full advantage of a fall from Impaire Et Passe in the Aintree Bowl.
Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old was the even-money favourite to end his season on a high, having valiantly chased home Gaelic Warrior in the blue riband at Prestbury Park.
While his jumping was far from perfect for much of the three-mile-one-furlong journey, he was back on the bridle turning for home and produced his best leap of the race two fences from home, the same obstacle at which the Willie Mullins-trained Impaire Et Passe came to grief when travelling stylishly.
His exit left Jango Baie and Nico de Boinville out on their own and he passed the post with 16 lengths in hand over Dan Skelton’s gallant veteran Protektorat, who was in turn well clear of the only other finisher Pic D’Orhy. Spillane’s Tower was disappointingly pulled up.
– Koktail Divin takes full advantage of Lulamba blunder –
Koktail Divin bounced back from defeat at Cheltenham as Lulamba came unstuck in the William Hill Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree.
Ridden by Darragh O’Keeffe for Henry de Bromhead, the 3-1 chance raced handily throughout in a field of five, in which Nicky Henderson’s Lulamba was the 1-2 favourite.
However, Lulamba and Nico de Boinville parted company at the 10th fence, and while 22-1 shot Blueking d’Oroux led he had Brown Advisory non-stayer Koktail Divin in his slipstream and it was the latter who pressed on to prevail by two and a quarter lengths.
– Mange Tout reverses the form –
Mange Tout refused to be beaten in the Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree.
Trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Jack Kennedy, the filly was a 5-1 chance as she turned up at the meeting fresh having last been seen in February.
In a field of 10 she was always travelling, and after taking up the lead she fought off a challenge from Triumph Hurdle fourth Selma De Vary (9-4 favourite) – who was one place in front of the winner when they met at the Dublin Racing Festival – to prevail by three-quarters of a length.
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Aintree BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD Horse Racing