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2025-04-04 Aintree 15:30

Aintree

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

Going: Good To Soft

Distance: 2m3f200y

Prize: £140,325

Runners: 4

Surface: Turf

Age: 5yo+

Class: Class 1

Type: Chase

Jonbon (FR) G BF CD

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Form: 1-1112

Age: 9

WT: 11st 10lbs

OR: 169

1.03

Additional Information

Owner John P McManus

Breeder Lotfi Kohli

Last Run 23 days ago

Pedigree

Sire: Walk In The Park (IRE)

Dam: Star Face (FR)

Damsire: Saint Des Saints (FR)

Trainer Last 14 Days

Runs 16

Wins 2

Percent 13%

Comment His Cheltenham Festival hoodoo continued last month when he made a bad mistake in the Champion Chase and finished an 18l second (odds-on favourite); however, he looked more brilliant than ever this winter, with easy Grade 1 wins in the Tingle Creek (1m7f, soft) and Clarence House (2m1f, good), and he won this 12 months ago (soft); he'll be very hard to beat if he's at his best.

Protektorat t (FR) G CD

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Form: 3-6214

Age: 10

WT: 11st 10lbs

OR: 166

28.01

Additional Information

Owner Sir A Ferguson G Mason J Hales & L Hales

Breeder Guy Cherel & Mme Isabelle Pacault

Last Run 22 days ago

Pedigree

Sire: Saint Des Saints (FR)

Dam: Protektion (FR)

Damsire: Protektor (GER)

Trainer Last 14 Days

Runs 33

Wins 3

Percent 9%

Comment Has won a Grade 1 and a Grade 2 at this course and was a good third to Jonbon in this race 12 months ago (soft); this 10yo looked as good as ever when bolting up at Windsor (2m6f, soft) in January but hasn't hit the same heights on his other three runs this season, most recently 20l fourth in the Ryanair at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft); soft ground might be preferable.

El Fabiolo (FR) G BF

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Form: 1P2-F2

Age: 8

WT: 11st 10lbs

OR: 170

90.09

Additional Information

Owner Simon Munir & Isaac Souede

Breeder Francis Dunn

Last Run 34 days ago

Pedigree

Sire: Spanish Moon (USA)

Dam: Sainte Mante (FR)

Damsire: Saint Des Saints (FR)

Trainer Last 14 Days

Runs 23

Wins 11

Percent 48%

Comment Won his first six chase starts, including the 2023 Arkle when beating Jonbon; however, jumping issues surfaced at the end of last season and he was beaten by Jonbon at Sandown last April; fell on reappearance in February and runner-up at 4-11 when upped to 2m4f in Grade 2 at Navan last month; could build on that run today but needs to prove he retains his superstar ability.

Matata (IRE) G BF

J: J J Slevin

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Form: -21213

Age: 7

WT: 11st 10lbs

OR: 161

95.24

Additional Information

Owner Simon Munir & Isaac Souede

Breeder David Commins

Last Run 55 days ago

Pedigree

Sire: Vadamos (FR)

Dam: Wattrey (GB)

Damsire: Royal Academy (USA)

Trainer Last 14 Days

Runs 14

Wins 3

Percent 21%

Comment Front-runner; progressive in handicaps this season (including on good ground) and won by 10l off a lofty mark at Windsor (2m, soft) in January; 2l third in Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury (2m, soft) in February and vulnerable on that form, while he's untested at this trip under rules; however, he won a 3m point in 2022 and may be capable of better than he showed at Newbury; could enjoy the run of the race and fare better than his big odds suggest.

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