15:25 Aintree

Friday 7 April 2017

All13:4014:2014:5015:2516:0516:4017:15

JLT Melling Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 4m 57.8s

Fox Norton^h²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 166

4/1

Won in handicap company at Cheltenham over 2m and followed that up when winning a Grade 2 chase at the same track. Subsequently well beaten by Altior at Newbury after a break. He ran as well as ever when taking the runner-up slot in the Queen Mother Champion Chase reaffirming his love for Cheltenham with three of today's rivals trailing in his wake. Never tried over 2m4f but has a major chance here if he stays.

Form: 1-11221

God's Own²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 165

7/2

Took advantage of the fall of the favourite to win this race last year and showed that win was no fluke when following up in another Grade 1 at Punchestown over 2m. Made mistakes in the closing stages of the Champion Chase and faded to finish fifth and has work to do with a couple of these although he's hard to rule out back around a course he acts well on.

Form: 123355

Josses Hill^p²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 156

15/2

Starting to realise his potential as a chaser this season with his previous jumping problems being ironed out to a certain extent. That resulted in two small field wins before he ran a little below par in his last two races at the highest level. Has work to do at this grade and against this level of opposition but may be better back on a flatter track, if his jumping holds up.

Form: 8-11557

Kylemore Lough⁶⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: J E Moore| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 155

16/1

One of a couple in this race that avoided the Cheltenham Festival and he's yet to sparkle this season, although he's not really had his conditions. Capable of high-class form over fences and has won at this level at Fairyhouse in March 2016, a win that completed a winning run of five. Has shown most of his best form on soft/heavy ground and may find conditions a bit too quick here.

Form: 111-255

Royal Regatta^b,t⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 156

25/1

Has shown all of his best form at Ascot with his last two wins coming at the course over 2m5f and finishing third behind Cue Card last time. Generally given a very positive ride but has struggled away from that track and only placed once in three attempts at Grade 1 company, that was a distant third to Silviniaco Conti over a year ago. Likely to struggle again.

Form: 23-51P3

Sub Lieutenant^t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: B J Cooper| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 162

10/3

His fine second to Un De Sceaux in last month's Ryanair Chase (Josses Hill and Uxizandre a well beaten 5th and 7th) was a career best and showed he was still improving. He's already won Graded chases at a slightly lower level earlier in the season over similar trips and may well have got closer to the winner at Cheltenham if he's been more positively ridden. Jumps and travels well in his races and has fewer stamina worries than the other market principles and holds leading claims.

Form: 311322

Top Gamble^t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: D N Russell| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 159

10/1

Winner of two Grade 2 chases last season at Newbury and Fairyhouse but hasn't quite been at his best this year in four chases all at Cheltenham. Finished a creditable fourth in the Champion Chase last time out behind Fox Norton, but not totally sure that the speed test would have suited him. May well be better back over further but does have to prove himself at the highest level having never won in this grade.

Form: P3311-5

Traffic Fluide²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 158

14/1

Champion Chase sixth was a creditable effort but has work to do with three rivals who finished in front of him there. May well be better suited by this longer trip here and looking at the way he's run, his last few races he's worth a try over further. The chances are that he's still unexposed and may have more improvement left in him, although has struggled at this level.

Form: 3/3-4663

Uxizandre^v²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: B J Geraghty| T: A King| OR: 159

8/1

A former winner of the Ryanair in 2015 he had a long break through injury after winning that race, only returning in January. Disappointing since but interesting connections now pop the visor back on that he wore for the first-time when winning the Ryanair and that may pep him up again although he will once again face competition if he wants to go forward.

Form: 18U1/27

Forecasts

Sub Lieutenant (10/3), God's Own (7/2), Fox Norton (4/1), Josses Hill (15/2), Uxizandre (8/1), Top Gamble (10/1), Traffic Fluide (14/1), Kylemore Lough (16/1), Royal Regatta (25/1)

Plenty of these saw action at Cheltenham and a few come here with a point to prove either over a different distance or type of track. Conditions and the track may well suit last year’s winner God’s Own better this time around and it won’t be a surprise if he reverses Champion Chase form with Fox Norton who tries this trip for the first time. Uxizandre shouldn’t be written off on the back of one sub-par effort and with the visor worn for his last big win better is expected here. The Kerry Lee duo Kylemore Lough and Top Gamble deserve to take their chance at this level although conditions may be a little quick. Of the bigger prices Traffic Fluide is the most interesting but SUB LIEUTENANT comes here with some progressive form under his belt and with conditions looking to suit, he is given the vote on the back of his fine second in the Ryanair.