VOY POR USTEDES is in fine shape ahead of his bid for back-to-back victories in the John Smith’s Melling Chase at Aintree on Friday.

Alan King’s eight-year-old was a superb winner of the 2m4f Grade One feature of Ladies Day 12 months ago, beating dual Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Master Minded by 18 lengths.

But he wasn’t his usual fluent self when finishing second to Imperial Commander in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last time.

Connections, though, think he is ready to gain his revenge on his Cheltenham conqueror at Aintree this week – just as he did with Master Minded 12 months ago.

Barry Simpson, racing manager to owner Sir Robert Ogden, said: “I don’t want to take anything away from Imperial Commander who is very much an improving type, but I don’t think we ran our best race. Despite the mistakes I don’t think he ran to his best form, he was never in any rhythm. He made a couple mistakes early on, never looked to be travelling that well and then made a mistake at a crucial stage.

“Alan reports that the horse is in great shape. He has come out of the race well and we’ve got to look at that as a very positive thing. It looks a good race and he’ll be there doing his best.

“I don’t think he left his race behind at Ascot. I know it was the race Kauto Star ran in last year and then he disappointed at Chelt-enham but he would have run a week earlier anyway so we can’t use that as an excuse.”