Jonbon can make Melling leap at Aintree

Jonbon can get back to winning ways in the My Pension Expert Melling Chase on Friday at Aintree.

Nicky Henderson's eight-year-old was sent off the 1-4 favourite in the rescheduled Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham in January but was beaten a neck by Elixir De Nutz after a lacklustre round of jumping that included a telling blunder four fences from home.

Jonbon was then withdrawn from the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival after a disappointing run.

He will go into today's race fresher than his rivals as he attempts 4000m for the first time, with the trip likely to suit.

Protektorat will provide the chief danger after his win at the Festival in the Ryanair Chase, although Envoi Allen and Conflated re-oppose, hoping to reverse the form while Paul Nicholls' Pic D'Orhy is also a live hope after skipping the Festival.

Chianti Classico can back up his Cheltenham form in the Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices' Chase.

Kim Bailey's charge ran out a 4.5-length victor on similar ground in the Ultima and can make it four victories from five over fences.

Mystical Power can see Willie Mullins back in the winner's enclosure in the Trustatrader Top Novices' Hurdle.

The five-year-old was beaten for the first time under rules in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham but should have learned a bit more from that run and can come out on top here.

Firefox reopposes but should again find Mystical Power too good, while the Fergal O'Brien-trained Dysart Enos will look to make it seven out of seven on the racecourse after a late setback scuppered her Festival run.

Dancing City can make it a successful trip across for Irish Sea for Mullins by landing the Cavani Sartorial Menswear Sefton Novices' Hurdle.

He finished a 7.25-length third behind Stellar Story and The Jukebox Man when stepped up to 4800m for the first time in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

His race was lost when hitting the final flight, but he can reverse the form with The Jukebox Man as he can learn from that error and earn another British winner for Mullins.

Shakem Up'arry can make it a 2024 treble as he tackles the Grand National fences in the Randox Supports Race Against Dementia Topham Handicap Chase.

Ben Pauling's charge can back up a pair of Cheltenham wins on soft and heavy ground in January and March respectively.

Inthewaterside can strike a blow for Nicholls in the trainers' championship in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle.

The six-year-old can take advantage of getting weight from all bar Making Headway in the 22-runner field.

Skycutter can take the concluding Alder Hey Handicap Hurdle for Nicholls' title rival Dan Skelton. Third when outpaced last month at Kelso, the softer ground can be to his liking as he lines up on an unchanged mark of 121.  - Press Association

TAB is betting on 3 UK meetings on Friiday. Here are the tips.

AINTREE: Race 1: 14.45 Chianti Classico, Race 2: 15.20 Inthewaterside, Race 3: 15.55 Mystical Power, Race 4: 16.30 JONBON (NAP), Race 5: 17.05 Shakem Up'arry, Race 6: 17.40 Dancing City, Race 7: 18.15 Skycutter.

FAKENHAM: Race 1: 14.58 Saint Vic, Race 2: 15.33 Do No Wrong, Race 3: 16.08 Cloudy Wednesday, Race 4: 16.43 Shengai Enki, Race 5: 17.18 Libby, Race 6: 17.53 Barra Blue.

SOUTHWELL: Race 1: 17.30 Saisons D'Or, Race 2: 19.00 Moon Man, Race 3: 19.30 Further Measure, Race 4: 20.00 Damoiseau, Race 5: 20.30 Alhattan, Race 6: 21.00 Prince Eric, Race 7 21.30 Van Zant.