The Dublin Racing Festival took the headlines at the weekend, with many horses firming up their Cheltenham credentials. However, we can’t forget that there was also Grade 1 action at Sandown in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase.

Jango Baie went off the warm favourite, but was unable to turn the tables on his Sidney Banks Novice Hurdle conqueror of last season, Handstands.

It was very close in the end, but the latter had the run of the race in front, and just managed to hang on to his lead at the line. It was Jango Baie’s jumping however that has caught my eye, writes Page Fuller.

His Jump Index of 8.3 out of 10, suggested that he was the best jumper in the race, but crucially it was significantly lower than the 8.8 he scored at Cheltenham on debut. Sandown and Cheltenham are both unique jumping tests, and course form speaks for a lot.

In my opinion, this suggests that had he adapted better to the test at Sandown, he might have won the race. It also suggests to me that, back at Cheltenham in March, we could see an improvement again.

With the removal of what was the Turners’ Novices’ Chase and the addition of a novice handicap chase instead, the two and a half mile novice chase division has been shaken up a little. I believe the handicapper has given Jango Baie a chance for it too by leaving him off the same mark.

Sir Gino, the market leader for the Arkle, is rated 164 and Ballyburn, the favourite for the Brown Advisory was rated 162 when last seen in Britain. This suggests that Jango Baie has a lot of work to do in either race considering he is only rated 153.

We know two and a half miles is perfect for him, and considering we think his jumping could improve for his return to Cheltenham, he could be a very interesting contender if Henderson lets him take his chances in the Jack Richards Memorial Chase rather than a Grade 1.