Grand National Festival: Brighterdayshead wins the Aintree Hurdle in front of the New Lion
Jango Baie, who finished second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month, won the Racing Welfare Bowl Chase by 16 lengths from Protektorat.
Jockey Nico de Boinville, who had previously been unseated on Lulamba, recovered to come straight home with Nicky Henderson putting his horse in the best position.
Impaire Et Passe’s Paul Townend was challenging the even money favorite but fell at the penultimate fence.
De Boinville told ITV: “All in all, I’m absolutely delighted with him. He’s in very good form and it invalidates the statistic that they went to the Gold Cup and didn’t get here.”
“It all depends on the coach and the home team. It’s very special. It will mean a lot.”
In the opening race of the day, Mange Tout, trained by Elliott, won the Juvenile Hurdle by beating favorite Selma De Vary 9-4.
The 5-1 shot cleared the final hurdle and managed to stop Paul Townend’s effort.
Winning jockey Kennedy said his decision not to ride the Cheltenham Festival in March “helped”.
The unseating of jockey De Boinville in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase was disappointing for Henderson favorite Lulamba.
Koktail Divin’s Darragh O’Keefe managed to take advantage and cross the line in first place.
Coach Henry de Bromhead told ITV: “I was starting to worry for a minute but he started to get back together. He was relentless. They were all jumping forward very well.”
Barton Snow has completed the Cheltenham Festival and completed the Aintree double by adding Foxhunters’ Open Hunters Track to the Cheltenham Foxhunters Track.
Jockey Henry Crow rode the favorite to victory by seven lengths from Lets Go Champ.
In the penultimate race, Ryan’s Rocket, shooting 14-1, crossed the final fence to win trainer Fergal O’Brien’s Red Rum Handicap Chase.
Favorite Sans Bruit won the race in 2024 and 2025 but finished third in his three consecutive attempts.
Nan’s Choice finished the day with a victory for Dan Skelton in Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race.
