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The Nicky Henderson-trained and James Bowen-ridden Jango Baie got the better of a good tussle with Favour And Fortune to land the inaugural running of the Grade 1 William Hill Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree this afternoon.
In April the BHA jumps Pattern committee announced a raft of changes to the calendar in a bid to improve competition levels, the headline-making alteration being the decision to switch the Gr.1 Tolworth Hurdle from Sandown to Aintree. Upped half a furlong in trip to 2m½f, opened to three-year-olds for the first time, and renamed the William Hill Formby Novices' Hurdle, the first running of the race on Merseyside will surely be deemed a success, after attracting contestants from France and Ireland and producing the biggest field for the race since the 2007/08 season.
Cannock Park was the first of the nine-runner field to show in front, tracked and soon joined by Tellherthename. Pre-race favourite Farren Glory, winner of the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse last month, stalked them in third, with Haydock Grade 2 winner Kamsinas and Ascot novice hurdle winner Jango Baie also in close attendance. Kamsinas and Farren Glory loomed up on the swing for home, with the latter apparently going best of all when taking a crashing fall under Sean Bowen at the second last. Jango Baie was now creeping into contention under the fallen jockey's younger brother James, perhaps even a little lucky not to be hampered by his falling rival, before improving to jump the last upsides the Alan King-trained Favour And Fortune. This pair quickly moved clear of the remainder, with Jango Baie getting the upper hand halfway up the run-in to win by two and three-quarter lengths. There were another twelve lengths back to Cannock Park in third.
This was a first Grade 1 victory for the winning rider, who was crowned Champion conditional jockey during the 2017/18 season but has endured more than his share of injuries in recent times.
Winning jockey James Bowen, who was enjoying his first Grade 1 success, said: "It went well. I travelled well. He was a bit keen, but a lot keener the last day.
"He finished his race off really well and probably will want a bit further in time, I think.
"Sean (his brother) was going really well and at the time I don't really know what he had left but he looked to be going well.
"My closest before in a Grade 1 was when I was third in the Long Walk Hurdle on Top Notch.
"He hit the line hard and has proven he is a Grade 1 horse so hopefully he'll have some big spring targets."
Bred in France and owned by Countrywide Park Homes Ltd, the four-year-old son of Tiger Groom finished second in a Knockanard point-to-point for Michael Goff, the form of which was boosted earlier on today when his conqueror, No Flies On Him, was a taking winner of the opening maiden hurdle at Leopardstown. Jango Baie would go on to make £170,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sale, before narrowly beating familiar foe Tellherthename at Ascot on his debut for Nicky Henderson. He has been cut to a general 20/1 for both the Grade 1 Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Grade 1 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.