‘He could find further improvement as a stayer’ – an in-depth look at Jango Baie's career and why he's a dark horse for the King George

"He might well be a King George horse," said Nicky Henderson in his Racing Post stable tour. The trainer obviously thinks Jango Baie is a star and could well fast-track his Arkle winner up in trip to contest the 3m Boxing Day showpiece next month.

The six-year-old makes his seasonal debut this Saturday in the Ladbrokes 1965 Chase (1.30) over 2m5f, so let's take a look at his career so far and assess whether he has what it takes to land the King George in his second season over fences.

First season: early Grade 1 success and close seconds

After winning a novice hurdle at Ascot in November 2023, no time was wasted in chasing bigger and better targets.

Boxing Day rolled around and Jango Baie was set loose in the Grade 1 Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree. He may have been aided by the favourite's swift exit two from home, but it was still a big step in the right direction for the youngster, who won going away.

Jango Baie (left) powers home to his first Grade 1 Credit: Andrew Grossick

The season progressed well and he went on to carry a 5lb penalty for that win in two races. He stepped up in trip to 2m 3½f on his next start at Huntingdon, where he was beaten a length and a half by Handstands in a Listed race. On Jango Baie's next start at Kelso, Henderson felt things happened a little too quick over 2m2f, although he still finished second in Grade 2 company.

Jango Baie was unlucky on his last run of the season in a handicap hurdle over 2m 4f at Aintree. He was hampered by Springwell Bay’s fall two from home, so it was not to be underestimated how well he stayed on and battled to chase Kateira home for an impressive second.

Second season: chasing brings its riches

It was time for fences. After a long summer off Jango Baie returned to racing, where he jumped beautifully around Cheltenham in a novice chase and flew home after the last for a dominant six-and-a-half-length victory. That sealed the deal: he would be one to watch among novice chasers.

Jango Baie walking down the all-weather at Seven Barrows this October Credit: Edward Whitaker

The finish was a nail-biter in his bid for a first Grade 1 over fences in the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase over 2m 4f in February.  Taking on Handstands again, in the heaviest ground he had encountered, he looked game, challenging Ben Pauling's runner all the way to the line, only to be denied by a short head.

Sir Gino’s loss, Jango Baie’s gain

The Arkle was supposed to be for the talented Sir Gino. After all, Jango Baie wasn't really shaping as a two-miler. But in the absence of his stablemate the six-year-old proved everyone wrong, landing his second Grade 1 as he pounced late for a thrilling Cheltenham Festival success.

Jango Baie pounced very late for an unlikely win in the ArkleCredit: Racing TV

Jango Baie looked certain to finish out of contention after a mistake three out. Nico de Boinville thought it and punters thought it. But he rattled up the hill after the last to get up just before the line at odds of 5-1. An RPR of 163 made it his best run to date.

Last time out 

Perhaps a last stop of the season at the Grand National Festival in a Grade 1 novice chase was just a bit too much for the young runner. Still, it was an admirable effort as he put in plenty of work to stay on for third behind winner Impaire Et Passe, with Henderson pleased at how he travelled.

Who will he face on Saturday? 

Race: Ladbrokes 1965 Chase (1.30)

Odds: (Coral): 9-4 Il Est Francais, 5-2 Jango Baie, 7-2 Pic D'Orhy, 4 Gidleigh Park, 12 Master Chewy

Il Est Francais is staying in Britain with Tom George this season and looks set to go off favourite for his first start at Ascot. Pic D’Orhy will be aiming to win the race for the third year in a row for Paul Nicholls, although the ten-year-old was beaten by a younger rival in the Charlie Hall when last seen.

Jango Baie will bump into a previous rival, Gidleigh Park. Harry Fry’s runner has some good form to his name, having already beaten the likes of Caldwell Potter.

Could he be a King George horse this season?

Pros: Jango Baie has time on his side. He is only six years old and has proved impressive without much mileage on the clock, appearing to be on an upward trajectory. He looks as if he has the stamina to stay three miles while the way he travels suggests he has the pace needed to cope with a fast, flat track like Kempton.

Cons: While he is improving, he still has a bit to find if he is to shape into a King George winner. He hasn’t got tons of chasing experience and has had a few blips at some of his fences. This isn’t a race Henderson especially targets, although he has won it three times, twice with Long Run.

Why I fancy Jango Baie for the King George . . .

By Harry Wilson, tipster

Willie Mullins’ high-class pair Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior could both line up and may prove hard to beat, but it looks worth taking a chance on Jango Baie, who suggested he may be suited by stepping up in trip when staying on for third in the 2m4f Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree in April.

That came after an unlikely success in the Arkle in March, when he didn’t have the pace to hold a position and looked likely to finish last when making a mess of three out, but took off from the final fence to claim the duelling leaders.

The 1965 Chase at Ascot looks like a stepping stone to Kempton, given Nicky Henderson suggested three miles might be on the agenda. He's already proven his class and could find even more improvement as a stayer. The 14-1 on offer looks more than fair.

Read more:

'When everything goes right he is very, very good' - will Ascot prep be springboard to Kempton redemption for Il Est Francais? 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.