Henderson Sidesteps Denman Chase With Jango Baie
Nicky Henderson has ruled Jango Baie out of Saturday’s William Hill Denman Chase at Newbury, opting instead to keep his powder dry for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup next month.
Overnight rain has left the chase course at Newbury described as soft, heavy in places, and connections are unwilling to risk their leading Gold Cup contender on testing ground so close to the Festival.
The seven-year-old has been prominent in the market since the Dublin Racing Festival and now heads the betting for the Cheltenham showpiece, having landed the Arkle at Prestbury Park last season. He was last seen finishing a close fourth in a thrilling renewal of the King George VI Chase at Kempton, behind The Jukebox Man, Banbridge and Gaelic Warrior.
Confirming the decision, Henderson told the Racing Post:
“Jango Baie will not run at Newbury. I’m not going to risk him. I spoke to Tony last night and whatever way you dress it up — soft, heavy or heavy, soft — it’s going to be very hard work.
“He’s very good fresh and his first run this season at Ascot was very good. On any other ground, he’d be there.”
Jango Baie is currently a 5/1 chance for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Couleurs Gears Up for Newbury Test
While Jango Baie sits it out, Haiti Couleurs is set to take his chance in the Denman Chase after connections opted against travelling to Ireland for the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup.
Jockey Sean Bowen believes the Newbury assignment could provide an ideal stepping stone towards Cheltenham.
“With the travel and everything, it made sense not to run him in Ireland,” Bowen said. “Newbury looks like it’ll have decent ground and it should be a nice prep on the way to the Gold Cup.
“Two miles seven around Newbury won’t be him at his absolute best — three-mile-two at Cheltenham will suit him far more. He’s a strong stayer, it’s a stiff track and he’s won there before, so conditions in March will play much more to his strengths.
“It’ll be nice to be back on board and it won’t take as much out of him as Leopardstown might have done on deep ground. I’m really looking forward to it.”
