TACTICS… crucial in every horse race but even more so in a Grade 1 when all four runners have made all in their career.
That’s what makes today’s feature Grade 1 Melling Chase over 2m4f such a fascination.
Chappers reckons Protektorat has what it takes to spring a shock at Aintree[/caption]
Beaten Champion Chase hotpot and class act Jonbon defends his crown.
Up against him is old rival El Fabiolo and another chaser in the double green silks, Matata.
And last, but certainly not least, we have the old boy PROTEKTORAT (3.30).
Any of them could go straight to the front and try to make all. We will only know who when the tape goes up.
Jonbon made one horrific mistake in last month’s Champion, but eventually ran on into second behind brilliant Marine Nationale and, obviously, is a worthy favourite at 4-6.
Last year Nicky Henderson’s star had Protektorat well held back in third in this.
But I don’t believe the Dan Skelton runner was at his best that day and he’s the strongest stayer of the four, having once been placed in a Gold Cup.
I think he will take all the beating in this make-up under Harry Skelton, and has won at this track before. He’s the value at around 6-1.
STELLAR STORY (1.45) can take the opening Grade 1 Mildmay Novices Chase.
He is a tough, strong stayer and, while he might be more suited to Cheltenham than Aintree, I fancy him.
He very rarely puts in a bad run and was a terrific second to Lecky Watson in the Brown Advisory in which Dancing City was well seen off in sixth.
A repeat of that run could be good enough here.
Next up is a tricky handicap hurdle. I fancied BE AWARE (2.20) at Cheltenham and he came up short in the Coral Cup over 2m5f having travelled strongly to two out.
This slightly shorter trip and sharper track should suit him well and, while he remains a very hard horse to win with, he has solid claims off the same mark of 137.
The Grade 1 Top Novices’ Hurdle can go to ROMEO COOLIO (2.55).
He won a Grade 1 in Ireland and ran a good third behind the impressive Kopek des Border in the Supreme.
He had every chance at the last that day and can get back to winning ways.
The once-feared National fences are up next in the Randox Topham Chase.
This is a race to play each-way and ELDORADO ALLEN (4.05) will carry my tenner at as big as 25-1.
He has some form over the unique fences, having got round behind I Am Maximus in the 2024 Grand National.
He had every chance until headed four out and fading as his petrol ran out. This trip is ideal and he’s been dropped to 145 so has a nice racing weight.
I like CALIFET EN VOL (4.40) in the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle.
He finished strongly to win the Sidney Banks over two and a half miles and swerved Cheltenham to wait for this.
He takes a big step up in class — and trip — but he will stay and he certainly has the class.
Hendo even thinks he could be a new Shishkin.
Califet En Vol will make a lovely chaser and Hendo obviously wants to look after him.
That means he may not want to risk him if the ground gets too quick. If he is pulled out late play Familiar Dreams.
The last race on day two is for amateur riders and conditional jockeys.
AFADIL (5.15) is an annoying horse who never delivers but there is no doubt he’s still well handicapped off a mark of 124.
And we all love Freddie Gingell, don’t we.
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