01.04.09 - THE GRAND NATIONAL

Newmill chases past glories in John Smith's Melling Chase

Former two-mile champion chaser Newmill aims to rekindle past glories in the £200,000 Grade One John Smith’s Melling Chase at Aintree on Friday.

One of 11 declared runners for the prestigious two and a half mile contest, the John Murphy-trained veteran hit the heights with a famous double in 2006 when winning both the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham and Punchestown’s Kerrygold Champion Chase. 

Newmill ran his best race for some time when just over 10 lengths fourth to Master Minded in the Queen Mother Champion Chase on March 11 and Murphy is hoping that the extra half-mile and drier conditions will be in the 11-year-old’s favour.

The County Cork handler revealed today: “Newmill has come out of the Cheltenham race well and is in good order. He looked like he was staying on in the Champion Chase. I don’t think he has the pace for two miles any more, so I was pleased with him.

“It looks like he might get his ground for the first time in two years. Even at Cheltenham  the ground was not quick enough for him and I would like to know what he would have done if it had been.

“We have to be realistic about his age. He is 11 now and he has definitely never come back to the level of his wins in the two Champion Chases at Cheltenham and Punchestown. Those wins came on good and good to firm ground and that is what he really wants.

“Racing is racing, so we will see what happens. He has been placed a few times this season and it is great to have him in one piece and still running at his age. He has had a few problems but we keep patching him up and he keeps on going.”

Voy Por Ustedes is bidding for back-to-back victories in the John Smith’s Melling Chase, having taken the prize 12 months ago from Master Minded. The Alan King-trained eight-year-old was sent off the 4/5 favourite for the Grade One Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month but found Imperial Commander two lengths his superior on that occasion.

Howard Johnson is set to unleash Tidal Bay from his County Durham stable. The talented eight-year-old won both the Grade One Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham and the Grade One John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree last year. Tidal Bay was below peak fitness when fourth to Imperial Commander in the Ryanair Chase last time and heads to Aintree with a big chance.

Tom George is enjoying a fantastic campaign, the biggest success thus far being Nacarat’s impressive Grade Three Racing Post Trophy triumph in February. The grey, who was so impressive at Kempton, will be ridden by Tony McCoy for this drop down in trip from three miles.

Petit Robin crossed the line one place in front of Newmill in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old will seek to maintain his progress stepped up to two and a half miles for the first time.

The Andrew Balding-trained Briareus ran well for a long way in the Queen Mother Champion Chase before falling at the last when a beaten fourth.

Alongside Newmill, the Irish challenge includes the Dessie Hughes-trained Ryanair Chase third Schindler’s Hunt and Queen Mother Champion Chase fifth Scotsirish from the Willie Mullins yard.

Paul Nicholls has declared two runners, those being last season’s Grade One Kerrygold Champion Chase runner-up Natal and Grade One Tingle Creek Chase third Takeroc. Exotic Dancer, a leading contender for Thursday’s totesport Bowl, has been declared by trainer Jonjo O’Neill.