The My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase is rarely a straightforward contest, and this year was no exception. Jango Baie, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville, produced a strong late rally to deny Only By Night in a thrilling finish, while Majborough, the long-odds-on favourite, had to settle for third after a crucial mistake at the second-last.
For much of the race, it looked like another Cheltenham banker for Willie Mullins as Majborough cruised through the early stages, but Cheltenham always finds a way to rip up the script. Jango Baie, after looking beaten two out, found more when it mattered most, delivering a finish few saw coming.
Sent off at 1/2, Majborough carried the weight of expectation as the latest in a long line of top-class Mullins two-mile chasers. He jumped well early, settled just behind Touch Me Not, and Paul Townend had him perfectly placed as they turned for home.
Meanwhile, Jango Baie wasn’t travelling as sweetly. He had been niggled along after the fifth, and a mistake at the third-last looked to have ended his chances.
Then came the second-last, where everything changed.
Majborough, still leading, got in too tight, clipped the top of the fence, and lost momentum. Only By Night, a 25/1 outsider, seized the initiative, quickening past on the outside. Jango Baie, seemingly beaten, was suddenly back in the picture.
By the final fence, Only By Night had a length’s advantage and looked set for a shock win. But Cheltenham’s hill is a cruel place, and the race wasn’t over.
Nico de Boinville got to work, and Jango Baie responded gamely, finding another gear in the final furlong. Stride by stride, he clawed back the deficit, eventually drawing level with 15 yards to go before edging ahead at the line.
Majborough, having lost ground after his mistake, rallied incredibly well, like a real winner, but could only manage third, finishing a short head behind Only By Night.
Nicky Henderson was delighted with the win:
“He wasn’t travelling that well early, but Cheltenham tests a horse’s heart, and Jango Baie showed plenty of it. Nico gave him a great ride.”
Jockey Nico de Boinville added:
“I thought we were beat after the third-last, but he kept responding. When I got after him, he really put his head down and wanted it.”
For Willie Mullins, Majborough’s defeat was a reminder that even the best can come unstuck at Cheltenham:
“He made a mistake at the wrong time, and in a race of this quality, you can’t afford that. He’ll be back, though.”
🥇 Jango Baie (N de Boinville, 5/1)
🥈 Only By Night (K Donoghue, 25/1)
🥉 Majborough (M P Walsh, 1/2F)
🏇 L’Eau du Sud (H Skelton, 5/1) – 4th
🏇 Touch Me Not (J W Kennedy, 16/1) – 5th
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