Melling Chase: Stars on course for clash

Sprinter Sacre could be in action at Aintree

Sprinter Sacre, Cue Card and Flemenstar feature among a fascinating list of nine possible runners for the Melling Chase at Aintree on Friday...

The incredible Sprinter Sacre extended his unbeaten record over fences with a scintillating display in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, earning a Timeform rating of 192p, the third-highest rating in Timeform's history. Trainer Nicky Henderson is now keen to test the water at two and a half miles on Merseyside.

The Colin Tizzard-trained Cue Card is already proven at the distance and lines up following a most impressive performance in Cheltenham's Ryanair Chase. 

Irish hope Flemenstar adds further intrigue to the Grade One contest. Peter Casey's pride and joy was narrowly beaten in the Lexus Chase and the Irish Hennessy at Leopardstown over three miles on his last two starts, but had previously looked brilliant in beating Sir des Champs in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase over two and a half miles.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has entered Edgardo Sol and Ghizao, while Nicky Henderson could also run last year's winner Finian's Rainbow. The field at this stage is completed by For Non Stop, Wishfull Thinking and Mad Moose.

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