Fit and fresh Politologue 'raring to go' after Cheltenham disappointment

3.25 Aintree
Marsh Chase (Registered As The Melling Chase) (Grade 1) | 2m4f | 5yo+ | ITV4/RTV

John Hales was left ruing what might have been after Politologue was a late absentee from the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham but the owner is hoping for better luck when his popular ten-year-old goes for a second win in the Marsh Chase, three years after he pipped Min in a thriller.

Hales remembers with great accuracy the moment a trickle of blood was found in Politologue's nose at Cheltenham, denying him the chance of defending his festival crown.

"He just knocked his head in the stables and caused a small nose bleed but with 14 minutes to the off there wasn't time to do a proper scope on him and we just couldn't take the risk," said Hales.

Graeme Rodway on why Politologue is a dual champion in all but name (Members' Club)

"The biggest disappointment for me was the race itself because the favourite didn't get the trip up the hill in a very slowly run race. Now the way Politologue runs two-mile chases, he goes from the front and applies pressure from the word go, so we think we'd have run the finish out of the favourite and I think we'd have won that race, but of course I can't be certain."

Politilogue (farside): holds off in the Melling ChaseCredit: John Grossick

It was in the race registered as the Melling Chase that Hales lost the charismatic One Man in 1998 but Aintree has been good to him since and he reached the pinnacle in 2012 when another grey, Neptune Collonges, won the Grand National.

"I did have mixed emotions about Aintree but they've gone since we won the Grand National," he said. "I look upon that as Aintree paying me back – they owed me that and we've loved it ever since. Winning the Grand National was the greatest day."

After a long absence from the track for all owners, Hales was back on course at Aintree on Thursday and will be trackside again to see Politologue.

"He's raring to go for this," the owner added. "He gets the trip and beat Min in this race in the past, so hopefully he will run a good race."

What the rest say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Duc Des Genievres, Master Tommytucker and Politologue
Politologue just had a tiny trickle of blood out of his nose at Cheltenham but there was never any more afterwards. You just put it down to fate and it sums my Cheltenham up. He's not missed a beat since and actually three extra weeks will not have done him any harm. Conditions are perfect for him. Master Tommytucker keeps improving and is good on decent ground. I've always thought left-handed suits him a little better and, if he jumps well, he's definitely in there with a chance. Duc Des Genievres has it all to do.

Joseph Patrick O'Brien, trainer of Fakir D'Oudairies
We’re hoping for a good run. The trip will suit him well and he ran well at Aintree as a juvenile hurdler. Hopefully the ground will be on the easier side.

Fakir D'Oudairies: a model of consistency for Joseph O'BrienCredit: Caroline Norris

Olly Murphy, trainer of Itchy Feet
His jumping has let him down all season. He's got all the ability in the world but everything's going to have to click for him. Off his run with Drashel Dasher he'd have an each-way chance.

Eddie O’Leary, racing manager for Gigginstown House Stud, owners of Notebook
We thought this lad was a Champion Chase contender when he won at Naas at the beginning of the season but he has been pretty disappointing since. If he could return to that sort of form he’d have a chance. We’re stepping him up in trip and if he's going to get this trip it will be at a flat track like Aintree.

Ian Hamilton, owner of Nuts Well
There's nowhere else to go as he's too high for a handicap and he's probably not good enough in this company. His form has worked out well though. He hasn't run since he won the Old Roan but there's been nothing wrong with him and he goes well fresh.

Read more previews for day two at Aintree:

Magical Merseyside can turn Cheltenham agony into Aintree ecstasy (Members' Club)

2.20 Aintree: exciting novice hurdler Dusart bidding to buck the trends for Nicky Henderson

2.50 Aintree: can Cheltenham star Chantry House back up Marsh form over longer trip?

4.05 Aintree: King hoping long-term planning can pay off with Senior Citizen in Topham

4.40 Aintree: Bravemansgame bids to add another Grade 1 on first try over three miles

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