15:25 Aintree

Friday 5 April 2019

All13:4514:2014:5015:2516:0516:4017:15

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

  • 5YO plus  |   Class 1  |   2m 3f 200y  |   Soft (Good to Soft in places)  |   6 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 15:26  |   Winning time: 5m 2.8s
1st
Horse silk
3
811-7
2/1f
T: W P MullinsJ: Ruby Walsh
Raced freely, made all, asserting 2 out, soon easily drew clear, impressive op 11/4
2nd
Horse silk
20
4
5/2
T: P F NichollsJ: H Cobden
Chased winner until 4th, went 2nd again 4 out, no impression from 2 out, one pace tchd 11/4
3rd
Horse silk
9
6
9/4
T: Ruth JeffersonJ: B S Hughes
Held up in 5th, not fluent 9th, switched to outside and closed 4 out, went right and hit 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, no chance with winner, well held when not fluent last op 2/1
4th
Horse silk
10
2
14/1
T: H FryJ: B J Geraghty
Tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd after 7th, mistake 11th, lost 2nd 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, awkward and no extra in 4th 2 out, weakened after op 12/1
5th
Horse silk
12
1
1111-7
25/1
T: T R GeorgeJ: P J Brennan
Held up in last, effort on inside before 3 out, jumped right and weakened 2 out, remote last when jumped badly right last tchd 22/1

Also Ran

PU
Horse silk
5
8/1
T: N J HendersonJ: D A Jacob
Chased leaders, went 2nd 4th until after 7th, hit next and given reminders, outpaced from 11th, mistake and weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out op 10/1

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Non-Runners

7
Horse silk
Woodland Opera18
Weight: 11-7|  Age: 9
T: Mrs J Harrington  J: R M Power
NR

Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:£2.70Pl:£1.70, £1.70EX:£7.40Trifecta:£14.40SF:£7.95Swingers:£1.40, £1.20, £1.60

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)

Verdict

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.
  1. Waiting Patiently
  2. Politologue
  3. Min

Previous Winners

2018
Politologue
Weight: 11-7  |Age: 7
11/1

Prize Money

1st: £140,325.002nd: £52,775.003rd: £26,375.004th: £13,175.005th: £6,625.006th: £3,300.007th: £1,700.008th: £900.009th: £500.0010th: £250.00

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