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BBC News
04-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Superstar' Jonbon wins Melling Chase at Aintree
Odds-on favourite Jonbon won the Melling Chase on day two of the Grand National meeting at Aintree. The nine-year-old, who was 4-6 favourite, was part of a front three initially before jockey Nico de Boinville settled him in took over on the second circuit and went clear before being pushed out by De Boinville to win by three and a quarter lengths from is some compensation for Jonbon, who finished second, after a shuddering mistake, when odds-on favourite for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham Festival last month. "There was really [an awful lot riding on that]," De Boinville told ITV. "Jonbon gets us out of trouble again."You would have said it's been a tough week but all the credit to the staff and particularly the governor [trainer Nicky Henderson], [owner] JP McManus and his team. "They've kept the faith in us - we had to pick ourselves up after yesterday [with Constitution Hill] and thankfully I've got really nice horses to ride like Jonbon here. He is an absolute superstar."He was a very different horse to the one I rode at Cheltenham - he really enjoyed it out there today. You can see when he's right and on song he loves his jumping."Racing and all sport is tough and place to be in and you've just got to roll with the punches and when you're on the floor you've just got to pick yourself up again. It's like that famous Rocky saying 'you've got to get up and keep moving forward' and what's we try and do."It is Jonbon's second win in the Melling Chase, which is a step up in trip to 2m 3f 200y. Matata finished third, while the Willie Mullins-trained El Fabiolo fell on the second circuit. Willie Mullins claimed his fifth Grade One win of the meeting when Paul Townend steered 7-2 shot Salvator Mundi to victory in the TrustATrader Top Novices' Hurdle. Townend told ITV that they had an "incredible team" after he secured his fourth Grade One win across the opening two days of the meeting. Another smart front-running ride from Harry Cobden saw Caldwell Potter back up his Cheltenham Festival win in the Grade One Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices' sent the Paul Nicholls-trained 11-4 favourite to the front from the off and led all the way through the 3m 210y in the race was worth £71,504 and sees the seven-year-old recoup more of his record-breaking 740,000 euros fee. Similar tactics from Jonjo O'Neill Jr saw 14-1 shot Wellington Arch claim the William Hill Handicap Hurdle. The three-day meeting concludes on Saturday, with the 177th running of the Grand National the feature race at 16:00 BST.
The Independent
04-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Grand National results LIVE: Tips and updates as Jonbon set to headline day two at Aintree
The Grand National Festival at Aintree continues today after a blockbuster clash between Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth provided thrills and excitement on the opening day. The Willie Mullins-trained Lossiemouth took victory in the Aintree Hurdle after Constitution Hill fell once more following a stumble at the Cheltenham Festival. On Friday, Jonbon will face Protektorat in the Melling Chase and there's interest in Romeo Coolio who hopes to shrug off defeat in the Michael O'Sullivan Novices Nurdle last month. The Grand National main event itself takes place on Saturday 5 April and the field was confirmed on Thursday with I Am Maximus leading the charge once more. The 2024 winner aims to emulate Tiger Roll and Red Rum in winning consecutive Grand Nationals but extra weight may hinder his chances in a strong field that includes Stumptown and Intense Raffles. Good morning! Welcome to The Independent's coverage of day two at the Grand National Festival from Aintree racecourse. Yesterday was a thrilling affair with fans of Willie Mullins celebrating in style as the Irish trainer won the first four grade ones of the day. The peak was a victory for the Paul Townend ridden Lossiemouth who defeated Constitution Hill in the Aintree Hurdle after the latter fell down the final stretch. Today's action is headline by the Melling Chase in which Jonbon will attempt to put aside a poor outing at Cheltenham to triumph against Protektorat, El Fabiolo and Matata. We'll have all the coverage from Friday's races at Aintree as well as build-up to the big race; the Grand National itself running tomorrow at 4pm. Mike Jones4 April 2025 07:31
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grand National tips: Experts' best bets and 11 horses to watch today at Aintree today
The Grand National Festival continues with day two at Aintree set to provide more thrills and spills with some high class racing. Officials have compensated for the dry conditions by watering the ground to ensure the going is good to soft but yesterday proved that this is still going to be a quick course to cover. Jonbon headlines the day in the Melling Chase but all eyes are on the showpiece event this Saturday with the Grand National field now confirmed. Last year's winner I Am Maximus is back and among the main contenders, while Iroko, Stumptown, Hewick, Intense Raffles and Vanillier are also heavily fancied by tipsters and experts. I Am Maximus is attempting to create history as the first runner carrying top weight to win since three-time winner Red Rum in the 1970s, while only Tiger Roll has defended the title, in 2019, since then. . 1.45pm Handstands – 2 point win @ 2/1 (William Hill) The Changing Man – 1/2 point each-way @ 12/1 (William Hill) The decision to sidestep Cheltenham and head straight here can play dividends for Handstands who should relish the step back up to three miles. The six-year-old's form was given a tidy boost when Jango Baie, gamely beaten by the selection at Sandown in February, went on to win the Arkle Chase at the Festival and he is reported in good shape ahead of this assignment. The Changing Man doesn't win very often, but he has acquitted himself well in some tough handicaps this year and any price of 10/1 or above with preferred betting sites looks a fair each-way play with decent ground sure to suit. 2.20pm Be Aware – 1pt ew @ 7/1 (bet365) – 6 places Helnwein – 1/2pt ew @ 14/1 (bet365) – 6 places Be Aware didn't seem to quite see out the trip of the Coral Cup on a stiff track and may prove more at home on the flatter surrounds of Aintree. Dan Skelton's grey son of Martaline had previously finished placed in two of the season's hottest handicap and represents a team which have won two of the last three renewals of this race. If you go back far enough, Helnwein beat Be Aware on the final day of last season at Sandown so could be overpriced on Grand National betting sites. Backers need to take on trust his ability to see out the trip, but it looks a risk worth taking at the price. 2.55pm Romeo Coolio – 2pt win @ 5/4 (William Hill) The Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle looked a race to follow, and it will be disappointing if third-home Romeo Coolio can't uphold the form here. This speed track may not play to his strengths quite as much as Cheltenham, but hopefully he can be ridden close to the pace and kick at the opportune moment under Sam Ewing. Tripoli Flyer is very much respected, but he appears to show plenty of disdain for his hurdles and can't afford to do that in Grade 1 company. 3.30pm Jonbon to beat Protektorat – 1pt forecast Events didn't go to plan at Cheltenham for Jonbon who was just one of a number of short-priced horses at the Festival to forfeit their chance with a modest round of jumping. Hopefully, he can put things right here and reprise his victory in last year's renewal. Protektorat was two-and-a-half lengths in arrears 12 months ago and could be the one to follow the selection home again following a commendable effort in the Ryanair Chase. 4.05pm James Du Berlais - 1pt ew @ 8/1 (William Hill) – 6 places Ginnys Destiny - 1/2pt ew @ 16/1 (bet365) – 6 places James Du Berlais jumped the final fence in this event last year pretty much on the bridle, so it was a surprise he didn't get the job done. His entire season looks as though it has been geared around going one better and his supporters will be hoping for a similar round of jumping and perhaps a slightly more patient ride from J J Slevin who takes over from Paul Townend. Backing Ginny's Destiny requires an act of faith but, in the hope that the first-time tongue tie and cheekpiece combination works the oracle, he might be worth a small each-way bet on horse racing betting sites off an enticing mark. 4.40pm Califet En Vol - 1pt ew @ 4/1 (Betfred) – 4 places Twenty of the last 24 winners of this race had won at least twice over hurdles, while 18 of the last 19 were aged six or seven. Three of the last 10 were also trained by Nicky Henderson so Califet En Vol makes plenty of appeal, especially as 14 of this century's winners had also skipped Cheltenham like he did. The selection's form behind Cheltenham festival scorer The New Lion looks the pick on offer here and he also fits the profile of six of the last eight winners who were ex-pointers. 5.15pm Celtic Dino - 1pt ew @ 13/2 (Skybet) – 6 places Slugger – 1/2pt ew @ 33/1 (bet365) – 5 places The ground is quite an important component to Celtic Dino but there should be no concerns on that score here and he represents one of the stronger views of day two. A sound surface saw the selection post excellent times at both Wincanton and Ascot before the turn of the year, while he still ran commendably in Grade 1 company at this venue on Boxing Day. A recent effort behind Tripoli Flyer at Kempton was also a creditable effort under conditions which didn't play to his strengths, and he looks handicapped to make his mark here. Slugger is one of three Harry Derham entries to hold live chances, and he narrowly gains the nod as an each-way dart courtesy of his fine effort in a strongly run Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso last time.
The Independent
04-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Grand National tips: Experts' best bets and 11 horses to watch today at Aintree today
The Grand National Festival continues with day two at Aintree set to provide more thrills and spills with some high class racing. Officials have compensated for the dry conditions by watering the ground to ensure the going is good to soft but yesterday proved that this is still going to be a quick course to cover. Jonbon headlines the day in the Melling Chase but all eyes are on the showpiece event this Saturday with the Grand National field now confirmed. Last year's winner I Am Maximus is back and among the main contenders, while Iroko, Stumptown, Hewick, Intense Raffles and Vanillier are also heavily fancied by tipsters and experts. I Am Maximus is attempting to create history as the first runner carrying top weight to win since three-time winner Red Rum in the 1970s, while only Tiger Roll has defended the title, in 2019, since then. Day 1: Friday 4 April 1.45pm Handstands – 2 point win @ 2/1 (William Hill) The Changing Man – 1/2 point each-way @ 12/1 (William Hill) The decision to sidestep Cheltenham and head straight here can play dividends for Handstands who should relish the step back up to three miles. The six-year-old's form was given a tidy boost when Jango Baie, gamely beaten by the selection at Sandown in February, went on to win the Arkle Chase at the Festival and he is reported in good shape ahead of this assignment. The Changing Man doesn't win very often, but he has acquitted himself well in some tough handicaps this year and any price of 10/1 or above with preferred betting sites looks a fair each-way play with decent ground sure to suit. 2.20pm Be Aware – 1pt ew @ 7/1 (bet365) – 6 places Helnwein – 1/2pt ew @ 14/1 (bet365) – 6 places Be Aware didn't seem to quite see out the trip of the Coral Cup on a stiff track and may prove more at home on the flatter surrounds of Aintree. Dan Skelton's grey son of Martaline had previously finished placed in two of the season's hottest handicap and represents a team which have won two of the last three renewals of this race. If you go back far enough, Helnwein beat Be Aware on the final day of last season at Sandown so could be overpriced on Grand National betting sites. Backers need to take on trust his ability to see out the trip, but it looks a risk worth taking at the price. 2.55pm Romeo Coolio – 2pt win @ 5/4 (William Hill) The Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle looked a race to follow, and it will be disappointing if third-home Romeo Coolio can't uphold the form here. This speed track may not play to his strengths quite as much as Cheltenham, but hopefully he can be ridden close to the pace and kick at the opportune moment under Sam Ewing. Tripoli Flyer is very much respected, but he appears to show plenty of disdain for his hurdles and can't afford to do that in Grade 1 company. 3.30pm Jonbon to beat Protektorat – 1pt forecast Events didn't go to plan at Cheltenham for Jonbon who was just one of a number of short-priced horses at the Festival to forfeit their chance with a modest round of jumping. Hopefully, he can put things right here and reprise his victory in last year's renewal. Protektorat was two-and-a-half lengths in arrears 12 months ago and could be the one to follow the selection home again following a commendable effort in the Ryanair Chase. 4.05pm James Du Berlais - 1pt ew @ 8/1 (William Hill) – 6 places Ginnys Destiny - 1/2pt ew @ 16/1 (bet365) – 6 places James Du Berlais jumped the final fence in this event last year pretty much on the bridle, so it was a surprise he didn't get the job done. His entire season looks as though it has been geared around going one better and his supporters will be hoping for a similar round of jumping and perhaps a slightly more patient ride from J J Slevin who takes over from Paul Townend. Backing Ginny's Destiny requires an act of faith but, in the hope that the first-time tongue tie and cheekpiece combination works the oracle, he might be worth a small each-way bet on horse racing betting sites off an enticing mark. 4.40pm Califet En Vol - 1pt ew @ 4/1 (Betfred) – 4 places Twenty of the last 24 winners of this race had won at least twice over hurdles, while 18 of the last 19 were aged six or seven. Three of the last 10 were also trained by Nicky Henderson so Califet En Vol makes plenty of appeal, especially as 14 of this century's winners had also skipped Cheltenham like he did. The selection's form behind Cheltenham festival scorer The New Lion looks the pick on offer here and he also fits the profile of six of the last eight winners who were ex-pointers. 5.15pm Celtic Dino - 1pt ew @ 13/2 (Skybet) – 6 places Slugger – 1/2pt ew @ 33/1 (bet365) – 5 places The ground is quite an important component to Celtic Dino but there should be no concerns on that score here and he represents one of the stronger views of day two. A sound surface saw the selection post excellent times at both Wincanton and Ascot before the turn of the year, while he still ran commendably in Grade 1 company at this venue on Boxing Day. A recent effort behind Tripoli Flyer at Kempton was also a creditable effort under conditions which didn't play to his strengths, and he looks handicapped to make his mark here. Slugger is one of three Harry Derham entries to hold live chances, and he narrowly gains the nod as an each-way dart courtesy of his fine effort in a strongly run Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso last time.
