Willie Mullins and Min the ones to beat

- Min found only Altior too good at Cheltenham and in that rival's absence, he could take all the beating in the JLT Melling Chase on Day Two of the Grand National meeting at Aintree.

Willie Mullins' charge served it up to his old rival in the Champion Chase, but just as in the 2016 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Altior had too many guns and Min had to settle for a creditable second.

That was still an excellent effort, though, and put to bed any suggestions Min was not quite the force of old, an idea some had raised after his reverse in the stewards' room at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Mullins switches back up to 4000m here after sending Min over that trip on his seasonal bow and while this race is a much tougher proposition, we do at least know he gets the distance.

London

Ryanair hero Balko Des Flos clearly represents some stiff competition over this intermediate trip, but Min just has a touch of class and can put his pace to good use in the finish.

Terrefort is interesting stepped up to 5000m in the Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase.

He chased home Shattered Love in the JLT at Cheltenham and was previously a Grade 1 winner over 3000m at Sandown, when his superior stamina saw him just hold off Cyrname.

While he has yet to run over this distance, he was placed over 4400m when trained in France and his half-brother, Vino Griego, certainly saw out 4800m well, which offers some further hope.

Nicky Henderson bypassed a shorter option earlier in the week at Aintree, and the hint should be taken.