Jonbon is set to make Melling leap at Aintree

Jonbon can get back to winning ways in the My Pension Expert Melling Chase at Aintree.

Nicky Henderson’s eight-year-old was sent off the 1-4 favourite in the rescheduled Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham in January but was beaten a neck by Elixir De Nutz after a lacklustre round of jumping.

Jonbon was then withdrawn from the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

He will go into the race fresher than his rivals as he attempts two and a half miles for the first time, with the trip likely to suit.

Protektorat will provide the chief danger after his win at the Festival in the Ryanair Chase, although Envoi Allen and Conflated reoppose hoping to reverse the form while Paul Nicholls’ Pic D’Orhy is also a live hope after skipping the Festival.

Chianti Classico can back up his Cheltenham form in the Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Chase.

Kim Bailey’s charge ran out a four-and-a-half length victor on similar ground in the Ultima and can make it four victories from five over fences.

Mystical Power can see Willie Mullins back in the winner’s enclosure in the Trustatrader Top Novices’ Hurdle. The five-year-old was beaten for the first time under rules in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham but should have learned a bit more from that run.

SELECTIONS AINTREE:

1.45 Chianti Classico, 2.20 Inthewaterside, 2.55 Mystical Power, 3.30 JONBON (NAP), 4.05 Shakem Up’arry, 4.40 Dancing City, 5.15, Skycutter.

LEICESTER: 1.30 Manhattan Mirage, 2.05 Englemere, 2.40 Spirit Of Breeze, 3.15 Ghaihaban, 3.50 Astral Spirit, 4.25 Want Want, 5.00 Esmeray.

SOUTHWELL: 5.30 Saisons D’Or, 6.00 Moon Man, 6.30 Further Measure, 7.00 Damoiseau, 7.30 Alhattan, 8.00 Prince Eric. 8.30 Van Zant.