JCB Melling Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 4m 50.60s

Gidleigh Park⁸³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry| OR: 156| D

4/1

Stepped up on hurdles form when winning Grade 2 Windsor novice before excellent second in strong renewal of the Manifesto over C&D at this meeting. Returned with a solid second in Ascot Grade 2 but badly let down by jumping in Clarence House there in January. Worth another chance.

Form: 6/P12-2P

Grey Dawning^p1²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 165| D

5/1

Beaten only by Gaelic Warrior in the Bowl at this meeting last year and resumed with comfortable success in Betfair Chase at Haydock. Test of the Gold Cup didn't play to his strengths but still ran with credit to finish fourth. Drop back in trip in first-time headgear looks a very interesting move.

Form: P12-134

Heart Wood²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 168

6/5

Enjoying a fine season, winning 3 of his 4 starts, including a career best in the Ryanair at the Cheltenham Festival. The one to beat on that performance (ran well here as a novice).

Form: 2P-1411

JPR One^t,p²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 160| D

16/1

Winner of Haldon Gold Cup in 2024 and has worked his way back to that level this season, back on the scoresheet with a ready success in the Scottish Champion Chase (handicap) at Musselburgh. Ran well for a long way when fourth in Ryanair but was firmly put in his place by Heart Wood that day.

Form: 5-33214

L'eau Du Sud^t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Tristan Durrell| T: D Skelton| OR: 163

11/1

Impressive winner of the Grade 2 Shloer at Cheltenham on reappearance but came up short back at this level next 2 starts, though was far from disgraced when third in the Queen Mother Champion Chase last month. Having a rare start beyond 2m and Harry Skelton prefers Grey Dawning.

Form: 143-133

Saint Segal^t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: C Gethings| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 155| D

33/1

Having an excellent season, winning twice and runner-up 3 times, including in the Game Spirit at Newbury. Pulled up early on final circuit in Queen Mother Champion Chase last time having made bad mistake at first. Bit to find even if bouncing back.

Form: 12122P

Solness^t,p⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 166| D

8/1

High-class chaser who landed a third Leopardstown Grade 1 success of his career when edging out Marine Nationale over Christmas. Rare poor effort there next time, however, and best efforts have been when able to dominate over shorter distances.

Form: 1143-15

Forecasts

Heart Wood (6/5), Gidleigh Park (4/1), Grey Dawning (5/1), Solness (8/1), L'eau Du Sud (11/1), JPR One (16/1), Saint Segal (33/1)

HEART WOOD looked better than ever when a dominant winner of the Ryanair at the Cheltenham Festival and shades the vote over Grey Dawning, who could well be suited by this drop back in distance but had quite a hard race in the Gold Cup. Gidleigh Park was let down by his jumping in the Clarence House but he's worth another chance having split Impaire et Passe and Jango Baie in the Manifesto here 12 months ago.