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

Off time: 15:31 | Winning time: 5m 2.41s

Fakir D'Oudairies^p1⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 163| BF| CD

15/8

High-class Irish chaser who looked a fortunate winner of Thurles Grade 2 in January when Haut En Couleurs fell last and was 7 lengths behind runner-up Pic d'Orhy when third in Ascot Chase since. However, has won this for last 2 years so must be considered in first-time headgear.

Form: 11-5213

French Dynamite^p,t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: M F Morris| OR: 156| D

7/1

Very smart chaser who ran a cracker faced with a stiffish task when 5¾ lengths fourth of 9 to Envoi Allen in Ryanair Chase (Festival Trophy) at Cheltenham Festival last month. Doesn't have too much to find to make a big impact here and sharper track should suit.

Form: 312524

Fugitif^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: R Hobson| OR: 153

11/1

Looks more mature this season, barely coming off the bridle when scoring at Chepstow over Christmas. Smart form when runner-up in Cheltenham handicaps next 2 starts, including when beaten 2 lengths in the Magners Plate at the Festival last month. This demands even more but not taken lightly.

Form: 48-2122

Hitman^p,t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 159| D

6/1

Just denied in Old Roan over C&D on return before easy winner at Haydock. Excuses next 2 starts (reportedly bled in King George) and bounced back with an excellent third in Ryanair at Cheltenham. Runner-up to Fakir d'Oudairies (beaten 5½ lengths) in this last year and another bold bid likely.

Form: 2-21P23

Millers Bank⁵⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 153| CD

13/2

Grade 1 C&D novice winner at this meeting last season but limitations somewhat exposed in open company this term, well-held fifth of 6 to Shishkin in Betfair Ascot Chase 55 days ago. Others stronger.

Form: 5U2265

Minella Drama⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 154| D

14/1

Smart hurdler/chaser who capitalised on a drop back to handicap company when scoring comfortably over fences at Musselburgh and Kelso last 2 starts but opposable back up in class.

Form: 42-4311

Pic D'Orhy^t⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 162| D

4/1

Won a couple of Grade 2s as a novice last season and improved again this term with all-the-way wins at Newton Abbot, Huntingdon (Peterborough Chase) and Kempton (Silviniaco Chase). No match for Shishkin in Ascot Chase since but had Fakir d'Oudairies 7 lengths behind him that day. Big shout.

Form: 1P-1112

Forecasts

Fakir D'Oudairies (15/8), Pic D'Orhy (4/1), Hitman (6/1), Millers Bank (13/2), French Dynamite (7/1), Fugitif (11/1), Minella Drama (14/1)

Aintree seems to bring out the best in FAKIR D'OUDAIRIES and Joseph O'Brien's 8-y-o can win this for the third successive season. Pic d'Orhy's winning run came to an end when second in the Ascot Chase in February but he finished 7 lengths in front of the selection that day so rates a huge threat. Hitman was an excellent third in the Ryanair at Cheltenham last month and should be in the mix again having finished second in this last term.