Grand National Festival 2026: Katie Midwinter's runner-by-runner guide to the Melling Chase

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The Willie Mullins-trained Gold Dancer has been well-backed for the Mildmay Novices' Chase at 14:20 and he's odds-on to finish in the top three on Friday.

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A new name will be written on the roll of honour for the Melling Chase this year as Jonbon, winner of both of the previous two renewals, misses out. Ryanair Chase winner Heart Wood is vying for favouritism along with Grey Dawning, who wears first-time cheekpieces, whilst another five horses, including Grade One achievers in L'Eau du Sud and Solness, will be bidding for glory on Friday at Aintree.

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Grey Dawning

6/42.50 joint-favourite to win the Melling Chase

Headgear is applied on Grey Dawning, fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup when last seen, the dual Grade One winner over fences who was beaten only by Gaelic Warrior over a further trip in the Bowl at the meeting twelve months ago. He was sent off as the 9/43.25 favourite that day ahead of the eventual winner, who has significantly franked the form since, running well in the Grade One contest but unable to claim the first-place prize.

A brilliant winner of the Betfair Chase earlier in the season, the nine-year-old grey is a strong stayer but has performed well over an intermediate trip in the past, and this challenge could suit. He's representing a top yard, holding leading claims in the hands of Harry Skelton as he bids for an 11th career win.

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Heart Wood

6/42.50 joint-favourite to win the Melling Chase

Henry de Bromhead-trained Heart Wood beat Jonbon by 10-lengths in a dominant display at the Cheltenham Festival when last seen, recording successive wins having previously landed Grade Three glory in similar convincing fashion at Tramore on New Year's Day. 

The eight-year-old has been progressive over the larger obstacles, seemingly improving with experience, and was able to finish third to a future Cheltenham Gold Cup winner in Inothewayurthinkin, with Iroko in second, in the Mildmay here as a novice chaser, his only trip to Aintree to date. 

In great form currently with the potential for further improvement and the ceiling of his ability unknown, Heart Wood is the one to beat based on his latest performances and could continue an excellent season by adding another top level prize to his list of honours.

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Gidleigh Park

13/27.50 to win the Melling Chase

Eight-year-old gelding Gidleigh Park makes only his sixth start over fences despite making his debut over the larger obstacles in 2024. He has had some issues since, but has run well when completing his races, including when beating Caldwell Potter to Grade Two success at Windsor last year.

Twelve months ago at this meeting, the Harry Fry-trained contender finished a good second to Impaire Et Passe in the Manifesto Novices' Chase when ahead of Jango Baie. He made a mistake at the second last, losing momentum, which may have cost him the race considering the length-and-a-quarter winning margin, but performed well regardless and could put in another creditable effort at the track now in open company.

Well beaten by Jango Baie at Ascot earlier in the season, he'll need to fare better this time out and bounce back from a pulled up effort in the Clarence House when failing to get into a jumping rhythm, but could find this test to his liking back up in trip at a track where he has form.

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L'Eau du Sud

12/113.00 to win the Melling Chase

L'Eau du Sud beat Jonbon by 15-lengths on his reappearance at Cheltenham's November Meeting before finishing third twice to Il Etait Temps, including in the Queen Mother Champion Chase when last seen. He's unexposed over this extra half-a-mile but the step up in trip could suit, although the ground conditions may not be his optimum if it remains on the drier side in Liverpool.

A classy performer on his day, and a Grade One winner as novice chaser, the likeable grey shouldn't be overlooked despite failing to pose a serious threat for the major honours in recent runs, capable of improving on his latest efforts if on a going day.

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JPR One

14/115.00 to win the Melling Chase

Joe Tizzard-trained JPR One was well beaten by Heart Wood in the Ryanair Chase but ran well for a long way from the front, emerging with plenty of credit. He had landed a handicap win in his run prior from a mark of 156, but had previously achieved a third-placed finish on two occasions at the highest level, including behind Jonbon in the Tingle Creek, as well as landing a Grade Two.

Whilst he has plenty to find to reverse form with one of the fancies Irish-raiders in the field, the nine-year-old holds each-way claims and could put in another respectable effort.

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Solness

18/119.00 to win the Melling Chase

A three-time Grade One winner in recent seasons, Solness could represent value at double-figure odds considering his proven credentials at the top level against the likes of Gaelic Warrior, Marine Nationale and Majborough. He'll have to prove himself over this intermediate distance, but the sounder conditions will suit and he has been able to cause an upset on occasions in the past, therefore is impossible to rule out.

Trained by Joseph O'Brien, the experienced eight-year-old will have to bounce back from a disappointing effort at the Dublin Racing Festival, but cheekpieces are reapplied with the visor coming off, which should further help his cause.

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Saint Segal

50/151.00 to win the Melling Chase

Outsider of the field Saint Segal almost came down at the first fence in the Queen Mother Champion Chase when last seen, prior to being pulled up, making it a run worth putting a line through for the gelding. He had previously chased home Lulamba in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury, running well on that occasion, following on from a promising run behind Thistle Ask at Kempton.

Having been seen mostly in handicaps during his career over fences to date, often performing well and rising up in the weights, the now 155-rated contender has to prove himself at this level but could still be progressing and has already gained plenty of valuable experience. Whilst he's a big price, he may not be a forlorn hope and could put in a creditable effort for Jane Williams.

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Katie Midwinter's Melling Chase Prediction

1. Gidleigh Park

2. Grey Dawning

3. Solness

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