KALAHARI KING can win again at Aintree in the John Smith’s Melling Chase (3.10pm) on Aintree‘s Ladies‘ Day.
Ferdy Murphy’s nine-year-old was an impressive winner at last year’s John Smith’s Grand National meeting. He landed the John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase by eight lengths. He came to Aintree then on the back of an excellent run at the Cheltenham Festival when second in the Arkle. And he arrives back on Merseyside following a similar effort when third to Big Zeb in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
It will be the first time Kalahari King has tackled the 2m4f since he won at Musselburgh in his novice days – having run principally at the minimum trip.
He is probably better on a flatter track and he can reverse placing with his Arkle conqueror and Queen Mother runner-up Forpadydeplasterer.
MENORAH won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and he can follow up in the John Smith’s Top Novices’ Hurdle (2pm).
Trainer Philip Hobbs has an excellent record in this race having won it three times in the last decade and he looks to hold a big chance of another success.
His five-year-old has not been out of the first two in six career starts and landed his biggest success last time. Although he only just held, beating Get Me Out Of Here by a head, he is sure to improve and can take this.
The John Smith’s Topham Chase (3.45pm) is run over the big Aintree fences and OFFSHORE ACCOUNT looks the pick.
Charlie Swan’s 10-year-old ran a mighty race in the National last year before he faded from the second fence to finish 15th.
He clearly did not get the marathon trip but this 2m5f – one circuit of the National – will be more up his street. He took to the fences well last year and led for much of the way.
Dual National-winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, who is in form and whose stable has such a great record over the Aintree obstacles, could also go close with the consistent Diablo. National hope Irish Raptor won this last year for the stable and Twiston-Davies’ entrant this time rates a decent each-way alternative to the selection.
OGEE won at Aintree over hurdles last year and he can follow up over fences in the matalan.co.uk Mildmay Novices’ Chase (2.35pm).
His latest run was an excellent third to Chief Dan George in the William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham. This flatter track can see him back in the winning enclosure on Merseyside at the chief expense of Nicky Henderson’s Burton Port.
HOPEFUL START has a decent chance of winning the John Smith’s Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (4.20pm) for jockey Tony McCoy and trainer Jonjo O’Neill.
RINGAROSES is a good bet to take the John Smith’s smithythehorse.com Handicap Hurdle (4.55pm) and Keith Reveley’s PICKWORTH has a good each-way chance in the John Smith’s Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (5.30pm)
AINTREE DAY TWO PREDICTIONS 2pm Menorah; 2.35pm Ogee; 3.10pm (John Smith‘s Melling Chase) Kalahari King NAP); 3.45pm Offshore Account; 4.20pm Hopeful Start; 4.55pm Ringaroses; 5.30pm Pickworth.
