JLT Chase (Registered As The Melling Chase) (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 5m 2.8s

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Selected odds by:

God's Own²³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 159| CD

25/1

A flag-bearer for Tom George; mercifully suffered no lasting damage when sharply pulled up in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham; no doubt the Aintree racegoers will lift the Grandstand roof if he can repeat his win in this race from 2016.

Form: 333-12P

Hell's Kitchen^h,t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: B J Geraghty| T: H Fry| OR: 158| D

14/1

Dropped back to 2m for the first time since December 2017 when finishing 9½L fourth to Altior (Politologue second) in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham; no real surprise if he reverts to front-running tactics; 2m4f trip ideal; sound fencer.

Form: U1P-714

Min²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 167| D

2/1

Below-par when finishing only fifth in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham, which was a surprise given his smooth Gr.1 win at Leopardstown (2m1f, good) the previous month; sent off 11/10-fav in this race 12-months ago when beaten a neck by Politologue.

Form: 224-115

Politologue^h,t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 166| CD

5/2

Appears well suited by Aintree, gamely fended off Min by a neck when winning this race in 2018 (soft); back to his very best (and more) when bustling up the unbeaten Altior in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham; major player.

Form: 41-1442

Top Notch²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 162| D

8/1

Back over fences, and if ignoring hurdle starts is effectively seeking a hat-trick; 2m4f+ Listed winner at Kempton in January (beat Black Corton by 5L), but put very firmly in his place by Waiting Patiently in the Gr.1 Ascot Chase in early 2018.

Form: 141-310

Waiting Patiently^p1⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 169| BF| D

9/4

The chasing superstar of the north; unbeatable over fences last season, demolishing Cue Card and Frodon in the 2m5f Gr.1 Ascot Chase in early 2018; very lightly-raced this season (things haven't gone according to plan); cheekpieces now applied.

Form: 1/111-U2

Non-Runners

Woodland Opera¹⁸

Weight: 11-7| Age: 9

T: Mrs J Harrington J: R M Power

Forecasts

Min (2/1), Waiting Patiently (9/4), Politologue (5/2), Top Notch (8/1), Hell's Kitchen (14/1), God's Own (25/1), Woodland Opera (25/1)

Politologue defends his Melling Chase crown following an honourable defeat at the hands of the mighty Altior in the Queen Mother Champion Chase (with 2018 runner-up Min vastly under-performing). There was precious little to separate that pair in this race last year despite the market coming down heavily in favour of the Willie Mullins-trained runner, with both meriting immense respect. However, following a most frustrating campaign now is finally the time for WAITING PATIENTLY to shine. Connections were left a shade downbeat after his unsuccessful defence of the Ascot Chase, although he did conquer Politologue (fourth) and he should truly relish this flat Mildmay track.