15:30 Aintree

Friday 8 April 2022

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

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

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 4m 57.48s

Allmankind^t⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 163| CD

11/1

High-class chaser who enhanced excellent record over fences when tenaciously landing the Old Roan here in October. Rare below par display followed in Huntingdon Grade 2 in December and seemngly not 100% over hurdles in February. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 41-315P

Captain Guinness⁴⁰

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

15/2

Very smart chaser who got back to winning ways in 3-runner Grade 3 Newlands Chase at Naas (2m) in February, quickening to lead 2 out. Kept fresh since and likely he's worth a crack at this longer trip returned to Grade 1 company.

Form: 3U-1331

Editeur Du Gite²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 153| C

25/1

Improving front-running chaser who arrives having acquitted himself well from career-high mark when fourth in last month's Grand Annual at Cheltenham. However, this demands further progress on these terms, stepping back up in trip.

Form: 11-U114

Fakir D'Oudairies⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 164| CD

10/11

Top-class Irish chaser who had no Allaho in opposition when running out a ready winner of this race 12 months ago. Has looked as good as ever this campaign, landing Gr 1 Ascot Chase in February, and he rates the one to beat again.

Form: 13-1421

Funambule Sivola²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 163

11/1

Likeable front-runner who enhanced his form when landing 4-runner Game Spirit Chase at Newbury in February, holding Sceau Royal by 2 lengths in receipt of 6 lb. Career-best when second in Champion Chase at Cheltenham subsequently and expected to be thereabouts again.

Form: 2-29112

Hitman^t⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 159| D

11/1

Very smart chaser who ran well when third in Grade 1 Manifesto novices' chase here 12 months ago. Respectable efforts all 3 starts in defeat this time around, albeit only third of 4 behind Funambule Sivola in Game Spirit latest. Others appeal more for win purposes.

Form: F13-223

Mister Fisher⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 159| D

14/1

High-class chaser who regained winning ways in Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton (20.5f) in January. Deep ground possibly caught him out in Ascot Chase (21f) in February but jumping does need to hold up if he's to play a lead role.

Form: PU2-P14

Paint The Dream^t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 157| D

28/1

8-y-o who has improved further over fences this season, posting a career-best effort to land Greatwood Gold Cup handicap (19.8f) early on last month. Clearly in rude health but even more needed if he's to feature at this level.

Form: 3-10441

Saint Calvados^t⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 160

10/1

Runner-up in the Ryanair 2 years ago. Seen only 4 times since but ran a cracker to finish third in King George on yard debut in December. Found to have bled when pulled up in Ascot Chase latest but he's not out of things if putting that behind him.

Form: 22/4U-3P

Sceau Royal⁵⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: A King| OR: 162| BF

18/1

Very smart hurdler/chaser who arrives on the back of good second to Funambule Sivola in Game Spirit Chase at Newbury in February, conceding 6 lb. Skipped Cheltenham subsequently and this highly admirable 10-y-o should not be dismissed lightly up in trip.

Form: 3-11362

Forecasts

Fakir D'Oudairies (10/11), Captain Guinness (15/2), Saint Calvados (10/1), Hitman (11/1), Allmankind (11/1), Funambule Sivola (11/1), Mister Fisher (14/1), Sceau Royal (18/1), Editeur Du Gite (25/1), Paint The Dream (28/1)

On the back of finishing runner-up in last year's Ryanair, Irish-raider FAKIR D'OUDAIRIES was utterly dominant when running out an 11-length winner of this race 12 months ago and, having looked as good as ever this time around (won Ascot Chase in February), he's the one to beat again. Funambule Sivola has proved a real success story for Venetia Williams, runner-up in the Champion Chase latest, and is feared, along with Sceau Royal and Saint Calvados.