3.30 2m. 3f. 200yds. 7 Declared. My Pension Expert Melling Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £250,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €140,325.00 2nd - €52,775.00 3rd - €26,375.00 4th - €13,175.00 5th - €6,625.00 6th - €3,300.00 7th - €1,700.00 8th - €900.00 9th - €500.00 10th - €250.00
Formscan - Jonbon missed the Champion Chase at the 11th hour due to concerns over the health of Nicky Henderson's string and he arrives following a shock defeat at the hands of Elixir De Nutz in the rearranged Clarence House at Cheltenham in January. Connections have always wanted to step him up in trip, but the prospects of testing ground on his first attempt over 2m4f may prove to be his undoing. Pic D'Orhy bids to become the seventh horse to win back-to-back renewals and will be full of confidence after an all-the-way success in the Ascot Chase. That said, this renewal appears to be stronger than last year and it wouldn't be a huge shock if the Ryanair form stood up. PROTEKTORAT travelled supremely well when handling the drop back in trip with considerable ease and outstayed Envoi Allen after the final fence. Although this test may suit the latter more, there has to be a concern whether he can back up his Cheltenham effort, whereas Dan Skelton's charge appears to be thriving for being kept busy and ground conditions are very much in his favour.