'He'll be exciting over three miles' - Jango Baie to be stepped up in trip after being tapped for toe in Manifesto

Nicky Henderson bided his time before stepping his Arkle winners Shishkin and Altior up in trip, but he was left in no doubt Jango Baie's future lies over further after his staying-on third in the Manifesto Novices' Chase.

Henderson had debated moving Jango Baie, who came from the unlikeliest position to power up the hill at Cheltenham last month, all the way up to 3m1f in Friday's Mildmay but opted for the 2m4f assignment instead.

Despite for much of the race travelling better than he did when winning the Arkle, Jango Baie, sent off the 6-4 favourite, failed to pick up on the speed-favouring track and was outpaced behind winner Impaire Et Passe and runner-up Gidleigh Park.   

"Like at Cheltenham, he's finished very strong and I think we'll be starting next season over three miles," Henderson said. "I had him in the three-miler here and we tossed up between the two races. It was a difficult decision."

Following his victory, Impaire Et Passe was cut to 33-1 (from 50) for next season's King George and Kempton could also come into the reckoning for Jango Baie, who is available at the same price.  

"He'll be exciting over three miles," said Henderson. "He's finished every time, he's coming home very strongly. He probably just hits a little bit of a flat spot and then he's got a bit to do.

"He was flat out all the way at Cheltenham, whereas he travelled today. He might well be a King George horse."

He added: "The other two hadn’t gone to Cheltenham and it had to be a hard race there, so he's done very well to come back and run like that."

Read these next:

Impaire Et Passe back to his best to get Grand National week off to perfect start for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend 

'Nobody's beaten him, except a hurdle' - Nicky Henderson still eyeing up Punchestown for Constitution Hill despite latest fall 

Brilliant Gaelic Warrior downs Grey Dawning in the Bowl as Willie Mullins runs riot at Aintree 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.