Chief among Melling hopefuls
Well Chief heads a fascinating field of nine for the John Smith’s Melling Chase at Aintree on Friday.
The two-and-a-half-mile contest has attracted a mixture of runners that tackled the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Ryanair Chase at last month’s Cheltenham Festival.
David Pipe will be hoping to cap a fantastic first season at the helm of Pond House stables with a first Grade One victory, after the disappointment of Well Chief’s early departure at Cheltenham.
Taking him on is Ryanair winner Taranis, trained by Paul Nicholls, who is also represented by Cerium.
Newmill, winner of the 2006 Champion Chase, steps up in trip for the first time since he won the Kinloch Brae Chase in January last year.
Monet’s Garden, a bitter disappointment in the Ryanair for Nicky Richards, will bid to redeem his reputation.
Crozan was still travelling strongly when coming down at the fourth-last in that race and will represent Nicky Henderson once again.
Last year’s winner Hi Cloy takes up the challenge along with Fota Island, who runs here instead of in the National.
Mark Rimell’s Oneway, a faller two out in the Queen Mother, completes the field.
