JLT Melling Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 5m 18.50s

Odds by:

Live Odds

Odds

Balko Des Flos

2/1, 15/8

2/1

Cloudy Dream

12/1, 11/1

10/1

Le Prezien

14/1, 12/1, 12/1, 11/1, 12/1

11/1

Min

1/1, 11/10, 6/5

11/10

Politologue

10/1, 11/1, 10/1

11/1

Sizing Granite

25/1, 28/1, 33/1, 28/1, 25/1, 20/1, 22/1

20/1

SP Book Percentage 111.47

Forecasts

Min (11/10), Balko Des Flos (2/1), Cloudy Dream (10/1), Politologue (11/1), Le Prezien (11/1), Sizing Granite (20/1)

No Altior, so that will be music to the ears of the majority of connections. Min would be unbeaten in England and Ireland but for Altior, and that horse was once more his nemesis in the Champion Chase last month; a race in which he comfortably accounted for Politologue (fourth). He's almost certainly able to stay this longer trip, but could just be found wanting beyond 2m1f at Grade 1 level. Therefore, a clear preference is for the fast improving Ryanair Chase winner BALKO DES FLOS. He appears totally versatile in terms of underfoot conditions and should prove strongest stamina wise, even allowing for Aintree being a much lesser test than the undulating Cheltenham.