King can reign in Melling

RACING: ALBERTAS Run did this column a huge favour when winning the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

A ready winner from Poquelin that day, he will be fancied by many to follow up in tomorrow’s John Smith’s Melling Chase.

But with the emphasis on speed around Aintree’s sharp track, I feel Albertas Run, a winner over three miles during his career, will be vulnerable to some speedier types.

This is the best and most open renewal of this race for years.

A case of sorts can be made out for every one of the 11 runners, not least the flying grey Monet’s Garden, a winner at tomorrow’s venue and Ascot this season.

Ridden on both those occasions by Barry Geraghty, he will not have the Irishman’s assistance tomorrow as he is claimed to ride Jack The Giant for Nicky Henderson.

Richard Johnson will be on board and should be a good deputy, but with Albertas Run, Forpadyedeplaster and Deep Purple likely to harry him for the lead, Monet’s Garden might not get any respite up front.

That sentiment also applies to the others I have mentioned, although Forpadydeplaster and Deep Purple have shown high levels of form this season and must be respected.

With a cutthroat pace on the cards, I have a feeling this will go to one of the hold-up horses and the most obvious are Schindlers Hunt, Poquelin and Kalahari King.

The former was a head second to Voy Por Ustedes in this race last year and should make a bold bid once again, while Poquelin is not short of speed and could even reverse Cheltenham placings with Albertas Run.

However, the one to be on is Kalahari King, who won at this track at last year’s meeting and shaped like he needed every inch of tomorrow’s two and half miles when third to Big Zeb and Forpadydeplasterer in Cheltenham’s Two-Mile Champion Chase.

I can see jockey Graeme Lee creeping into contention early in the straight before landing a knock-out blow at the final fence.

Those wishing to throw a couple of pounds at an outsider could do much worse than back Tartak, whose chance is not obvious but is talented enough to get involved.

He bolted up in a novice chase over this course and distance at last year’s meeting and I like the booking of Denis O’Regan for this sometimes dodgy jumper.

Tartak slammed Deep Purple in that contest, but will go off at much bigger odds than that one tomorrow so it’s obvious where the each-way value lies.