Aintree Race 4

My Pension Expert Melling Chase (Grade 1) (Gbb Race)

Stake: $507,379

The Cheltenham curse continued for JONBON (2) when he was second at short odds in the G1 Queen Mother Champion Chase last time making a shuddering mistake after suffering trouble at the start. Can return to winning ways and prove successful defending his crown in this contest. EL FABIOLO (1) looked a superstar winning his first six starts tackling fences. Needs to prove he retains that ability after a shock defeat when second in the G2 Webster Cup Chase at Navan last month. Racing for trainer Willie Mullins and could prove the main danger if building on that. Forecast good ground is a slight concern for PROTEKTORAT (4) although it's tough to ignore this former G1 course winner who finished a respectable fourth tackling the trip in the G1 Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham. MATATA (3) rounds out the quartet.

Distance: 4005m
Track: Good
Weather: Cloudy
Surface: Turf
Class: OPEN

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El Fabiolo (1) 11x11p2x02
Trainer: Willie Mullins (Muine Bheag, Co Carlow)
Jockey: P Townend
Weight: 74.5kg
Prize Money: $983,467
Win / Place: 53% / 80%

Jockey / Horse Combo

Strong Form on Good

8 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: SPANISH MOON (USA)

Dam: SAINTE MANTE (FR)

Dam's Sire: Saint Des Saints

Rating

Stats

Career

15: 8-3-1

Track

1: 0-1-0

Season

2: 0-1-0

1st Up

6: 3-1-0

2nd Up

5: 3-1-1

3rd Up

2: 1-0-0

4th Up

2: 1-1-0

Turf

15: 8-3-1

Good

4: 2-2-0

Soft

3: 2-0-0

Heavy

2: 1-1-0

Clockwise

7: 5-1-0

Anti-Clockwise

8: 3-2-1

Hurdle

4: 2-1-1

Steeple

8: 6-1-0

Handicap Rating

170

Jockey Stats

Horse

11: 7-3-0

Last 50

0: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

3419m - 4123m

Comments

Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up didn't finish the race at Leopardstown in the G1 Dublin Chase on February 2 over 3400m. Second run from a spell finished second in a small field at Navan in the G2 Webster Cup Chase on March 1 over 4100m, in the wet; 1.3 len behind Senecia carrying 75.5kg at $1.40. Needs to re-find prior form.

Expected Settling Position: Off Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 5	1/3/25	Navan	4123m	G2 OPEN 5U	-	P Townend	75.5kg	Heavy	5:36.00	44.2 km/h	1.3L	-	$1.36f	27	$84,931	$17,353	1. Senecia 2. El Fabiolo 3. Fil Dor
99th of 8	2/2/25	Leopardstown	3419m	G1 OPEN 5U	-	J J Slevin	75.5kg	Y	4:07.40	49.8 km/h	0.0L	-	$4.00	281	$286,165	-	1. Solness 2. Marine Nationale 3. Gaelic Warrior
281 Day Spell
2nd of 7	27/4/24	Sandown Park Uk	3118m	G1 CHSE 5U	-	P Townend	74.5kg	Good	3:48.00	49.2 km/h	4.0L	-	$1.67f	45	$339,394	$74,656	1. Jonbon 2. El Fabiolo 3. Edwardstone
45 Day Freshen-Up
- of 6	13/3/24	Cheltenham	3218m	G1 CHSE 5U	-	Paul Townend	74.5kg	Soft	4:10.91	46.2 km/h	99.0L	-	$1.22f	38	$790,460	-	1. Captain Guinness 2. Gentleman De Mee 3. Funambule Sivola
38 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 5	4/2/24	Leopardstown	3419m	G1 CHSE 5U	-	Paul Townend	75.5kg	YS	4:17.20	47.9 km/h	8.5L	-	$1.36f	56	$283,118	$179,612	1. El Fabiolo 2. Dinoblue 3. Captain Guinness
56 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 6	10/12/23	Cork	3319m	G2 CHSE 5U	-	Paul Townend	76kg	SH	4:25.20	45.1 km/h	4.8L	-	$1.20f	227	$190,773	$119,742	1. El Fabiolo 2. Fil Dor 3. Maskada
227 Day Spell

Jonbon (2) 12x11x1112
Trainer: Nicky J. Henderson (Lambourn)
Jockey: N De Boinville
Weight: 74.5kg
Prize Money: $2,408,506
Win / Place: 80% / 100%

Unbeaten the Track

Jockey / Horse Combo

Strong Form on Good

9 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: WALK IN THE PARK (IRE)

Dam: STAR FACE (FR)

Dam's Sire: Saint Des Saints

100

Rating

Stats

Career

21: 17-4-0

Distance

1: 1-0-0

Trk/Dst

1: 1-0-0

Track

3: 3-0-0

Season

2: 1-1-0

1st Up

7: 7-0-0

2nd Up

6: 5-1-0

3rd Up

4: 3-1-0

4th Up

3: 1-2-0

Turf

21: 17-4-0

Good

14: 11-3-0

Soft

9: 7-0-0

Heavy

2: 2-0-0

Clockwise

7: 7-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

14: 10-4-0

Hurdle

5: 4-1-0

Steeple

11: 9-2-0

Handicap Rating

169

Jockey Stats

Horse

9: 8-1-0

Last 50

0: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

3108m - 3371m

Comments

Racing well. Last run finished second of 8 starters at Cheltenham in the G1 Queen Mother Champion Chase on March 12 over 3200m, 18 len behind Marine Nationale carrying 74.5kg at $1.80. Race before favourite; won by 6 len Ascot in a G1 Clarence House Steeple Chase on January 18 over 3370m defeating Energumene with 74.5kg at $1.60 in a jumps. Hard to beat bidding to win this in back to back seasons.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 8	12/3/25	Cheltenham	3199m	G1 OPEN 5U	-	Nico De Boinville	74.5kg	Good Soft	3:57.91	48.4 km/h	18.0L	-	$1.83f	53	$811,811	$172,104	1. Marine Nationale 2. Jonbon 3. Captain Guinness
53 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 4	18/1/25	Ascot Uk	3371m	G1 OPEN 5U	-	Nico De Boinville	74.5kg	Good	4:06.59	49.2 km/h	6.5L	-	$1.62f	42	$355,168	$199,851	1. Jonbon 2. Energumene 3. Edwardstone
42 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 6	7/12/24	Sandown Park Uk	3108m	G1 OPEN 4U	-	Nico De Boinville	74.5kg	Heavy	4:05.03	45.7 km/h	8.0L	-	$1.62f	22	$355,168	$202,266	1. Jonbon 2. Quilixios 3. Jpr One
1st of 4	15/11/24	Cheltenham	3218m	G2 OPEN 4U	-	Nico De Boinville	74.5kg	Good	3:57.00	48.9 km/h	1.5L	-	$1.33f	202	$191,488	$115,581	1. Jonbon 2. Boothill 3. Edwardstone
202 Day Spell
1st of 7	27/4/24	Sandown Park Uk	3118m	G1 CHSE 5U	-	Nico De Boinville	74.5kg	Good	3:48.00	49.2 km/h	4.0L	-	$2.88	15	$339,394	$197,414	1. Jonbon 2. El Fabiolo 3. Edwardstone
1st of 7	12/4/24	Aintree	4023m	G1 CHSE 5U	-	Nico De Boinville	74.5kg	Soft	5:12.29	46.4 km/h	1.3L	-	$2.10f	76	$492,305	$289,828	1. Jonbon 2. Conflated 3. Protektorat
76 Day Spell

Matata (3) 2240x21213
Trainer: N A Twiston-Davies (Cheltenham)
Jockey: J J Slevin
Weight: 74.5kg
Prize Money: $352,569
Win / Place: 35% / 76%

Form on Good

7 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: VADAMOS (FR)

Dam: WATTREY (GB)

Dam's Sire: Royal Academy

Rating

Stats

Career

17: 6-6-1

Track

2: 0-0-0

Season

2: 1-0-1

1st Up

5: 3-2-0

2nd Up

3: 1-2-0

3rd Up

3: 0-2-0

4th Up

3: 1-0-0

Turf

17: 6-6-1

Good

9: 4-2-0

Soft

4: 1-0-0

Heavy

2: 1-1-0

Clockwise

1: 0-0-0

Anti-Clockwise

15: 5-6-1

Hurdle

6: 2-2-0

Steeple

9: 3-4-0

Handicap Rating

161

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 1-0-1

Last 50

0: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

3218m - 3432m

Comments

Freshened for 55 days. Last outing finished third in a small field at Newbury in the G2 Game Spirit Chase on February 8 over 3300m, on slow going 2 len behind Master Chewy carrying 71kg at $2.40. The start before that; to post a big 10 len win. Windsor on January 19 over 3230m on rain affected going defeating Unexpected Party carrying 76kg at $3 in a steeplechase. This is another step up in class.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
3rd of 5	8/2/25	Newbury	3319m	G2 OPEN 5U	-	J J Slevin	71kg	Soft	4:09.10	48.0 km/h	2.0L	-	$2.38f	20	$167,387	$18,458	1. Master Chewy 2. Libberty Hunter 3. Matata
1st of 8	19/1/25	Windsor	3248m	HCP CHSE 5U	-	J J Slevin	76kg	Soft	4:03.18	48.1 km/h	10.0L	-	$3.00f	42	$101,475	$52,798	1. Matata 2. Unexpected Party 3. Crebilly
42 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 7	8/12/24	Kelso	3432m	HCP CHSE 4U	-	Sam Twiston-Davies	75kg	Soft	4:29.32	45.9 km/h	0.3L	-	$4.20	21	$152,218	$36,410	1. Nells Son 2. Matata 3. Tommy's Oscar
1st of 4	17/11/24	Cheltenham	3218m	STPLE HCP 4U	-	Sam Twiston-Davies	75.5kg	Good	4:03.21	47.6 km/h	26.0L	-	$2.10f	23	$95,282	$54,822	1. Matata 2. Third Time Lucki 3. Calico
2nd of 8	25/10/24	Cheltenham	3218m	STPLE HCP 4U	-	Daryl Jacob	73.5kg	Good	3:51.55	50.0 km/h	0.3L	-	$3.50f	195	$197,395	$47,999	1. Calico 2. Matata 3. Dancing On My Own
195 Day Spell
10th of 10	13/4/24	Aintree	3218m	G1 NCHSE 5U	-	Sam Twiston-Davies	73kg	Good Soft	4:00.48	48.2 km/h	35.3L	-	$15	32	$237,138	-	1. Found A Fifty 2. Master Chewy 3. Libberty Hunter
32 Day Freshen-Up

Protektorat (4) 32313x6214
Trainer: Dan Skelton (Alcester)
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Weight: 74.5kg
Prize Money: $1,735,246
Win / Place: 25% / 67%

10 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: SAINT DES SAINTS (FR)

Dam: PROTEKTION (FR)

Dam's Sire: Protektor

Rating

Stats

Career

31: 8-8-5

Distance

5: 1-2-1

Trk/Dst

2: 1-0-1

Track

4: 2-0-1

Season

2: 1-0-0

1st Up

10: 2-3-1

2nd Up

8: 2-2-1

3rd Up

5: 2-2-0

4th Up

4: 0-1-2

Turf

31: 8-8-5

Good

11: 3-1-1

Soft

8: 3-0-0

Heavy

3: 0-2-1

Clockwise

6: 1-4-0

Anti-Clockwise

25: 7-4-5

Hurdle

9: 1-3-1

Steeple

20: 7-4-4

Handicap Rating

166

Jockey Stats

Horse

29: 7-7-5

Last 50

0: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

3995m - 4462m

Gear Changes

[Tongue Strap]

Comments

Impressive in recent runs. Last run finished fourth of 9 starters at Cheltenham in the G1 Ryanair Steeple Chase on March 13 over 4130m, 19 len behind Fact To File carrying 74.5kg at $6. Race before won by 23 len Windsor on January 19 over 4440m on rain affected going defeating Djelo carrying 74.5kg at $4.30 in a steeplechase. Gets a chance to win. Only beaten 2.5L by Jonbon in this last season.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
4th of 9	13/3/25	Cheltenham	4139m	G1 OPEN 5U	-	Harry Skelton	74.5kg	Good Soft	5:09.61	48.1 km/h	19.8L	-	$6.00	53	$761,068	$40,337	1. Fact To File 2. Heart Wood 3. Envoi Allen
53 Day Freshen-Up
1st of 6	19/1/25	Windsor	4462m	WFA CHSE 5U	-	Harry Skelton	74.5kg	Soft	5:39.12	47.4 km/h	23.0L	-	$4.33	42	$334,873	$174,235	1. Protektorat 2. Djelo 3. Journey With Me
42 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 5	8/12/24	Huntingdon	3995m	G2 OPEN 4U	-	Harry Skelton	74.5kg	Soft	5:07.26	46.8 km/h	6.0L	-	$2.50f	22	$162,360	$34,696	1. Djelo 2. Protektorat 3. Ginny's Destiny
6th of 15	16/11/24	Cheltenham	4023m	STPLE HCP 4U	-	Harry Skelton	76kg	Good	4:59.53	48.4 km/h	17.3L	-	$10	218	$296,417	$4,049	1. Il Ridoto 2. Ga Law 3. Lets Go Champ
218 Day Spell
3rd of 7	12/4/24	Aintree	4023m	G1 CHSE 5U	-	Harry Skelton	74.5kg	Soft	5:12.29	46.4 km/h	2.5L	-	$5.50	29	$492,305	$58,564	1. Jonbon 2. Conflated 3. Protektorat
1st of 11	14/3/24	Cheltenham	4139m	G1 WFA CHSE	-	Harry Skelton	74.5kg	Soft	5:21.43	46.4 km/h	4.0L	-	$9.50	33	$787,710	$443,243	1. Protektorat 2. Envoi Allen 3. Conflated
33 Day Freshen-Up

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