My Pension Expert Melling Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 4m 53.73s

El Fabiolo³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 170| BF

5/2

Top-class chaser who was successful on first 6 starts over fences, including the Arkle at Cheltenham in 2023 (Jonbon second). Started last term with a bang but not so convincing since, falling on return and beaten at short odds in Navan Gr. 2 last month. Needs to keep the errors at bay.

Form: 11P2-F2

Jonbon²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 169| BF| CD

4/6

Top-class, wonderfully consistent chaser who is unbeaten here and added another Grade 1 to his haul when landing the Clarence House in dominant style at Ascot (16.7f) in January. Rare jumping lapse ruined his chance when runner-up in Champion Chase latest but fancied to gain compensation here.

Form: 11-1112

Matata⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 161| BF

16/1

Headstrong sort but that hasn't stopped him improving this term, posting a high-class performance under top weight when landing 8-runner handicap at Windsor (2m) in January. Ran respectably without quite replicating that when third in Game Spirit Chase latest but this asks even more.

Form: 0-21213

Protektorat^t²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 166| CD

7/1

High-class chaser (C&D winner) who gained a third Gr 1 victory in last season's Ryanair Chase at the Festival. Holding form well this term, albeit not threatening to retain his crown when fourth last month. Solid third behind Jonbon in this 12 months ago but likely set for minor honours again.

Form: 13-6214

Forecasts

Jonbon (4/6), El Fabiolo (5/2), Protektorat (7/1), Matata (16/1)

Unbeaten in 3 previous visits here (including this race 12 months ago), JONBON found a rare jumping lapse proving costly when runner-up in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham 23 days ago. A wonderfully consistent sort, Nicky Henderson's charge is fancied to gain compensation, possibly at the chief expense of old adversary El Fabiolo, who admittedly does arrive with some questions to answer.