Jonbon a surprise omission from Melling line-up as team opts for alternative Grade 1 target

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Jonbon will miss the Grand National meeting after not being declared for Friday's JCB Melling Chase (3.30), denying him the chance to extend his unbeaten record at Aintree.

The Nicky Henderson-trained ten-year-old had won on all four previous visits to the meeting, all at Grade 1 level, landing the Top Novices’ Hurdle before following up in the Maghull Novices’ Chase and recording back-to-back victories in the Melling.

Jonbon maintained his remarkable record of never finishing outside the first two when runner-up to Heart Wood in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month, but connections have elected to give him a longer gap between races.

Henderson said: “Everything’s fine with him. We’ve had a long chat about it and decided to keep him for Sandown.

"We just felt he’s had two hard races in quick succession. The Ascot race was tough and Nico [de Boinville]’s view was that he might have been a bit flat at Cheltenham.

Nicky Henderson: "We’ve had a long chat about it and decided to keep him for Sandown"Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

“We’ve got the option of giving him another fortnight, so that’s what we’re going to do. He’ll go for the Celebration Chase and we know he loves it – he’s won it before and it’s a big prize in its own right. It’s the last Grade 1 of the season, so that’s where he’ll go.

“We’ve ummed and ahhed over it for the last 24 hours and that’s what we’ve decided. I just think he’ll be a bit fresher for it. He’s in good shape and he’s still right at the top of the two-mile division.”

In his absence, a field of seven will go to post for the 2m4f Melling Chase (3.30), headed by Ryanair winner Heart Wood, who bids to follow up his Cheltenham success on his return to Aintree, where he finished third in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase last year.

The Dan Skelton-trained Gold Cup fourth Grey Dawning drops back in trip, this being the shortest distance he will have tackled since finishing third in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase at this meeting in 2024. Skelton is also represented by L’Eau Du Sud, who steps up in trip after finishing third in the Champion Chase.

Gidleigh Park, Saint Segal and JPR One complete the British-trained contingent, while Joseph O’Brien saddles the other Irish runner, Solness.

Handicap debut for Il Est Francais

Il Est Francais will run in a handicap for the first time when carrying top weight in the Randox Topham Handicap Chase (4.05).

Il Est Francais won the Kauto Star Novices' Chase in 2023Credit: Edward Whitaker

The Tom George-trained eight-year-old, a Grade 1 winner, was last seen being pulled up in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day, having also failed to complete in the 1965 Chase at Ascot on his previous start. Jonathan Burke has been booked for the ride, having partnered him once before at Auteuil in March 2023.

He is available at around 20-1, with the market headed by the Skelton-trained Madara, who impressed in the Plate Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and has been hit by a 10lb rise. Will The Wise, who followed him home in that race, sits behind him in the betting for the Topham.

Regent’s Stroll steps up in class

Regent’s Stroll will tackle Grade 1 company over fences for the first time in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase (2.20) for Paul Nicholls.

The Jamie Snowden-trained Wendigo bids to bounce back from a fall in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, while Willie Mullins relies on Gold Dancer, who finished second, ahead of Regent’s Stroll, in the Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

The Gary and Josh Moore-trained Salver also lines up as he searches for a first Grade 1 success.

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Confirmed runners and riders for day two

William Hill Mildmay Novices' Chase

Crest Of Fortune Richie McLernon
Doyen Quest Harry Skelton
Gold Dancer Paul Townend
Jordans Cross Sam Twiston-Davies
Miami Magic Charlie Hammond
Regent's Stroll Harry Cobden
Salver Caoilin Quinn
Wendigo Jonathan Burke

JCB Melling Chase

Gidleigh Park Bryan Carver
Grey Dawning Harry Skelton
Heart Wood Darragh O’Keeffe
JPR One Brendan Powell
L’Eau Du Sud Tristan Durrell
Saint Segal Ciaran Gethings
Solness tbc

Randox Topham Handicap Chase

Il Est Francais Jonathan Burke
Matata JJ Slevin
Gentleman De Mee Mark Walsh
Ile Atlantique Paul Townend
Hitman Freddie Gingell
Croke Park Danny Gilligan
Madara Harry Skelton
Boombawn Tristan Durrell
Eldorado Allen Brendan Powell
Will The Wise Conor Stone-Walsh
Addragoole Sean Flanagan
Soul Icon Tom Bellamy
Coming Up Easy Darragh O'Keeffe
Viroflay Miss Olive Nicholls
Prairie Wolf Jack Tudor
Conflated James Bowen
O'Moore Park Sean O'Keeffe
Booster Bob Sean Bowen
Mahons Glory Lee Edwards
Lisnamult Lad Jordan Gainford
Peaky Boy Jonjo O'Neill Jr
Bill Baxter Sam Twiston-Davies
Teddy Blue Paul O'Brien
Pour Les Filles Dylan Johnston
Theatre Native Paul O'Brien
Jipcot Kevin Brogan
The King Of Prs Daniel King
Primoz Derek Fox
Indiana Jones Shane O'Callaghan
Excello Nico de Boinville

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