Daryl Jacob offers his insight on the My Pension Expert Melling Chase on Friday, while we have the Timeform predicted pace map and free video replays too.
My Pension Expert Melling Chase - 3.30 Aintree
Click here for full racecard & free video form
Unbeaten in 3 previous visits here (including this race 12 months ago), JONBON found a rare jumping lapse proving costly when runner-up in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham 23 days ago. A wonderfully consistent sort, Nicky Henderson's charge is fancied to gain compensation, possibly at the chief expense of old adversary El Fabiolo, who admittedly does arrive with some questions to answer.
Daryl Jacob Insight
This is going to be interesting even with just the four runners. The small field could suit JONBON, as he likes to get into his rhythm, but there is a chance he gets harried by Protektorat which would be a negative for him.
Dan Skelton's horse will likely go forward and Matata could too, but it's likely he doesn't have the class to keep up the gallop against these rivals. He might struggle to make it.
So I can see them trying to get Jonbon out of his comfort zone, as we saw at Cheltenham what can happen in that scenario. But the step up to 2m4f is in his favour, I think that's what he's wanted for a long time. It will help his rhythm and it can allow his class to shine through.
The conditions are 100 per cent in Jonbon's favour.
El Fabiolo has been disappointing for a year now, beaten by a 50/1 shot last time, Leopardstown was a disaster. The trip is probably better for him than two miles these days, too, at his best he'd travel well over this distance, but it's hope more than expectation that we see him at his best.
There were worries over Jonbon at Cheltenham, the frantic pace, getting harried, but on Friday he'll have loads of space, the tempo is more to his liking and he'll have one horse to aim at.
I expect him to win and win well.
Timeform Pace Map
Pace Forecast: Weak
Specific Pace Hint: A likely steady pace should benefit PROTEKTORAT more than EL FABIOLO.
Individual Price Hint: N/A
Free Video Replays
Jonbon (second) - Champion Chase 12/03/2025
Jonbon (won), El Fabiolo (second) - Celebration Chase 27/04/2024
Protektorat (won) - Fleur De Lys Chase 19/01/2025
Matata (third) - Game Spirit Chase 08/02/2025
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