Racing Welfare Bowl Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 1 | 3m 210y | 5 Runners | Turf

Impaire Et Passe^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 160| C

3/1

High-class hurdler who landed 3 of his first 4 starts over fences, including Grade 1 Manifesto at this meeting 12 months ago. Bagged Grade 2 Red Mills Chase on return at Gowran in February and whilst he ran no sort of race in the Ryanair at Cheltenham, his Aintree record stands at 2-2.

Form: 131B-1P

Jango Baie²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 167| BF| C

5/4

Top-class chaser who landed last year's Arkle before finishing third behind Impaire Et Passe here. Enhanced his form this season, finishing close-up fourth in King George prior to a fine second in Cheltenham Gold Cup 4 weeks ago. The one to beat if that hasn't taken the edge off him.

Form: 213-142

Pic D'Orhy^t⁵⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 162| C

14/1

Veteran high-class chaser with a fine strike rate, adding a second Ascot Chase to his haul last year. Has looked as good as ever in finishing placed all 3 starts this season, finding only Jonbon too strong in aforementioned race in February. Won the Melling Chase here in 2023.

Form: 11P-232

Protektorat^t⁴⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 165| CD

13/2

High-class chaser (C&D winner) who landed 2024 Ryanair at Cheltenham and lines up here on the back of another victory in Fleur de Lys at Windsor and Kelso listed chase in February. This has presumably been his target since and top stable continue in fine form.

Form: 142-311

Spillane's Tower⁷⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: J J Mangan| OR: 163| D

10/3

Grade 1-winning novice chaser who showed top-class form when runner-up in the 2024 John Durkan at Punchestown. After a couple of runs over hurdles, back on the scoresheet in 4-runner Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January and whilst this represents a different test, he may yet have more to offer.

Form: 252-931

Forecasts

Jango Baie (4/5), Impaire Et Passe (9/2), Spillane's Tower (5/1), Protektorat (13/2), Pic D'Orhy (12/1)

Last season's Arkle winner JANGO BAIE has progressed again in open company this season, matching the form of his King George fourth when finishing an excellent second in last month's Gold Cup at Cheltenham. He wasn't at his very best at this meeting 12 months ago but rates the one to beat provided he's over those exertions. Impaire Et Passe disappointed in the Ryanair but his Aintree record stands at 2-2 and he can bounce back.