15:25 Aintree

Friday 9 April 2021

All13:4514:2014:5015:2516:0516:4017:15

Marsh Chase (Registered As The Melling Chase) (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 5m 3.75s

Duc Des Genievres^h,t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 155| D

40/1

Arkle winner in 2019 for Willie Mullins. Good second at Cheltenham on debut for new yard but has struggled since.

Form: F5-2377

Fakir D'Oudairies²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 162| D

2/1

Top-class chaser who found only the highly-impressive Allaho too strong in the Ryanair at Cheltenham and no obvious reason why he won't go well again.

Form: 22-2P22

Itchy Feet⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: G Sheehan| T: O Murphy| OR: 154| BF| D

14/1

Smart over hurdles and even better over fences. Generally creditable efforts in chases this term but underperformed back hurdling when fifth in Rendlesham at Haydock last time.

Form: 1U-3225

Master Tommytucker⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 160| D

13/2

Front runner who often has a shocking mistake in him but that hasn't stopped him winning 3 times this season. Good second to Dashel Drasher in Betfair Chase at Ascot and may do better still.

Form: 211712

Notebook^t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 162

9/2

Form: 16-1237

Nuts Well¹⁶⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 159| CD

14/1

Has really thrived since this time last year, making it 5 wins in last 6 starts when seeing off 11 rivals in Old Roan Chase at Aintree in October. Likely to give another good account if tuned up.

Form: 1113-11

Politologue^t⁷⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 168| BF| CD

5/2

Captured a second Tingle Creek this term before creditable second to First Flow in Clarence House at Ascot. Freshened up since, so set for a bold showing.

Form: 2/251-12

Non-Runners

Dashel Drasher⁴⁸

Weight: 11-7| Age: 8

T: J Scott J: Matt Griffiths

Forecasts

Fakir D'Oudairies (2/1), Politologue (5/2), Notebook (9/2), Dashel Drasher (5/1), Master Tommytucker (13/2), Nuts Well (14/1), Itchy Feet (14/1), Duc Des Genievres (40/1)

POLITOLOGUE has won this in the past and can be forgiven a slightly underwhelming second to First Flow in the Clarence House at Ascot. He should be primed for a bold showing and is marginally preferred to the Ryanair runner-up Fakir d'Oudairies, with Dashel Drasher considered after his Ascot Chase success.