Paul Townend's Crashing Fall Presents Aintree Bowl to Jango Baie
Irish champion jockey Paul Townend suffered a dramatic fall at Aintree on the opening day of the Randox Grand National festival, handing a clear victory to Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Jango Baie in the Racing Welfare Bowl. Townend, who rides favourite I Am Maximus in Saturday's Grand National, was travelling strongly aboard the Willie Mullins-trained Impaire Et Passe when the incident occurred.
Dramatic Collision at the Second Last Fence
Impaire Et Passe had moved upsides Jango Baie after both horses had overtaken front runner Protektorat approaching the crucial second last fence. However, Townend's mount took off far too early, crashing heavily into the fence and sending both horse and jockey tumbling to the ground. Fortunately, both emerged from the fall completely unscathed, though the exit left Jango Baie with a commanding advantage.
Jango Baie, who had finished second to Gaelic Warrior at the Cheltenham Festival, capitalised on the opportunity by extending his lead to an impressive sixteen lengths at the winning post. The victory was particularly poignant as the horse carries the initials of James Barney, the sixteen-year-old son of owners Tony and Donna Barney who tragically died in a car accident back in 2008.
De Boinville's Resilience After Earlier Setback
Winning jockey Nico de Boinville displayed remarkable resilience to secure the Grade One victory, having just picked himself up from a fall in the previous race when favourite Lulamba unexpectedly fell in the Manifesto Novice's Chase. "It's a funny old game and it certainly keeps you meek and humble," de Boinville reflected afterwards. "You just have to look at yourself in the mirror and say, 'Come on lad, chin up, let's go again'."
De Boinville emphasised the significance of the win, stating: "Jango Baie has put to bed the stat that they go to the Gold Cup and don't come here. It's all down to the trainer and team at home. It's very special and it will mean a lot to the Barneys."
Emotional Reactions from Connections
Trainer Nicky Henderson praised both his horse and jockey following the emotional victory. "He's as fresh as anything and he actually won the race – he sprinted up the run-in. Unfortunately there wasn't a jockey on his back," Henderson remarked about Impaire Et Passe's fall. Regarding de Boinville's performance, he added: "It was tough for Nico, when you have what happened to Lulamba and then have to come straight into another Grade One. To pick yourself up, that's testament to a Grade One jockey."
An emotional Tony Barney expressed his gratitude towards Henderson, saying: "It's such a great thing. Nicky has supported me all the way because I am a difficult character. He keeps me on my toes and listens to what I say. I think the man is an absolute genius. It's a tremendous story, a real story, and I am absolutely delighted."
Future Plans for the Winning Horse
Looking ahead to next season, Henderson confirmed that the King George and the Gold Cup remain the obvious targets for Jango Baie. "This was the only option really after Cheltenham. We had the extra week this year. It is always hard, but Henry Main rides him and Lulamba every day at home and I think both of them came here in great shape," Henderson explained.
"The King George and the Gold Cup are the two obvious races for him again next season, they have to be – I can't see any reason to change. The same horses will be with us and we'll just have to see, but it's got to be the same plan I would think," the trainer concluded, outlining the continued ambition for his stable star following this significant Aintree triumph.
