Racecards
15:10 Aintree
John Smith's Melling Chase (grade 1) (Class 1)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £200,000 added
- Form 4PP-2PF
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 151
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
led, headed approaching 3 out, weakened next
- Form 653236
- Age 10
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 158
- Trainer M Hourigan
- Jockey D N Russell
chased leaders, hit 10th, weakened approaching 3 out
- Form 21-1614
- Age 9
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey A Dobbin
chased leaders, hit 5th, led appraoching 3 out, stayed on well
- Form U-9320F
- Age 10
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 155
- Trainer M G Rimell
- Jockey R Johnson
held up and keen, weakened approaching 3 out
- Form 1-1F311
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 159
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
chased leader, reminders after 8th, soon outpaced, kept on from 3 out, chased winner from last, no impression
- Form 1221/1F
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 178
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased winner approaching 2 out until weakened last
- Form 11-4F14
- Age 9
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 170
- Trainer John Joseph Murphy
- Jockey Doubtful
Nonrunner
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Well Chief can get his hefty Cheltenham losses back at the expense of Taranis and Monet's Garden, with Oneway, Newmill and Hi Cloy all facing an uphill task. After returning from a lengthy lay-off in style to capture the Game Spirit Spirit Chase at Newbury, Well Chief was all the rage for the Champion Chase, but got no further than the second. They went off very fast that day, and he simply paid the penalty for failing to settle, but by all accounts, he has recovered well and is expected to make amends on his first try over today's trip. The David Johnson-owned gelding has finished first and third on his only two previous visits to Aintree, and goes on fast ground, so all in all is the one to be on. Taranis has improved rapidly this term, and gained due reward when taking the Ryanair at Cheltenham with Monet's Garden and last year's winner of this event, Hi Cloy, behind. He can give the selection most to do as Monet's Garden has to prove his well being after reportedly breaking a blood vessel during the aforementioned race, while Hi Cloy is out of form. Newmill completed to finish fourth in the Champion Chase, while Oneway suffered the same fate as Well Chief, and it is hard to fancy either of their chances of getting the better of David Pipe's charge today.
Formwatch
Crozan (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Led, clear 2nd, hit next, still travelling well when fell in race won by Taranis (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Mar, 9 ran.
Hi Cloy (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 11th, effort after 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 6th of 9, 12l behind Taranis (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Mar.
Monet's Garden (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Held up, headway 11th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Taranis (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Mar.
Oneway (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Took keen hold, held up in touch, staying on and 3 lengths 5th when fell 2 out fell in race won by Voy Por Ustedes (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar, 10 ran.
Taranis (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Close up, went 2nd after 12th, left in lead next, ridden approaching 2 out, jumped big last, all out, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Mar beating Our Vic (11-5) by a nk, 9 ran.
Well Chief (GER) Evensfav (11-10) Held up in 5th until fell 2nd fell in race won by Voy Por Ustedes (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar, 10 ran.
Cerium (FR) 13-2 (11-7) Held up behind leaders, nudged along after 6th, pulled up before 8th, broke blood vessel pulled up in race won by Monet's Garden (11-7) at Ascot 2m 3f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Feb, 7 ran.
Fota Island (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, 4th and held when hit last, 5th of 7, 16l behind Monet's Garden (11-7) at Ascot 2m 3f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Feb.
Newmill (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Raced freely, led to 2nd, tracked leader, hit 3rd, mistake and lost 2nd 3 out, left 3rd at last until weakened run-in, 4th of 10, 9l behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.