Return to positive tactics brings out best in Melling Chase hero Min

Hugely impressive Melling Chase winner Min (180+) posted a career-best figure when trouncing last year's winner Politologue (161) and, along with peerless 2013 winner Sprinter Sacre and Don Cossack, who beat Cue Card by 26 lengths in 2015, has to be regarded as a vintage winner of the race.

Rated 176 when beaten seven lengths in last season's Champion Chase, he had performed well below form (RPR 163) when only fifth in that race this time around, but a return to more positive tactics in the JLT-backed feature at Aintree on Friday saw the strong-travelling eight-year-old to much better effect.

Cheltenham runner-up Politologue, who 12 months ago had taken this race after a flat performance in last year's Champion Chase, reversed the pattern this time around, while third home Waiting Patiently (152) again performed below expectations.