The Cheltenham Gold Cup placegetter Jango Baie is set to dominate proceedings on Thursday’s star-filled first day of the Grand National at Aintree.

Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old charge is the strong market elect for the Racing Welfare Bowl, one among four Grade 1 highlights on the card.

He targets a breakthrough top-grade triumph over three miles, having challenged hard in Kempton’s King George during December prior to a March Cheltenham Festival showpiece where he was beaten eight lengths by Gaelic Warrior.

Just four adversaries confront Jango Baie, including Jimmy Mangan’s Spillane’s Tower from Ireland – who bypassed the Gold Cup.

From Willie Mullins’ yard comes Impaire Et Passe, underwhelming in the Ryanair Chase.

Dan Skelton, topping the British jumps trainers’ ranks this season, fields Protektorat alongside the eleven-year-old Pic D’Orhy.

Thursday’s Aintree Hurdle attracts the Champion Hurdle runners-up from Cheltenham. Six lengths separated Brighterdaysahead from stellar winner Lossiemouth, though she held off The New Lion for second.

For their second encounter, the pair extend by half-a-mile, with 2024 Champion Hurdle star Golden Ace and multiple Grade 1 winner El Fabiolo also declared.

Lulamba goes further to 2m3f in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase after being turned over as favourite in Cheltenham’s Arkle.

Selma De Vary is ante-post favourite in the Grade 1 Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle, looking to switch Triumph Hurdle fortunes versus Maestro Conti and Minella Study.

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