Melling Chase: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

Grand National Switcher:

Sprinter Sacre is favourite for the Melling Chase

Timeform take you through the runners for the Melling Chase, arguably the most keenly-anticipated race of the week for the year-round racing fan.

Cue Card has been better than ever this season, winning the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter, Betfair Ascot Chase and Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham when beating First Lieutenant by nine lengths. Very dependable nowadays.

Finian's Rainbow followed up success in Champion Chase with victory in this event 12 months ago and sure to find conditions more to his liking here than when well-below form both starts in mud at Ascot this term.

Flemenstar has developed into a top-class chaser, getting better of Sir des Champs in John Durkan (2m) in December, and seems sure to appreciate return to this trip after being out-stayed over three miles twice since.

For Non Stop made a winning return in Old Roan Chase over C&D and bounced back to his best when third behind Cue Card in Ryanair last time, though no reason why he should reverse placings with that rival here.

Mad Moose is useful on his day, but flattered when second to Sprinter Sacre in Victor Chandler Chase at Cheltenham in January and refused to race for second time this season in handicap there last month.

Sprinter Sacre is an outstanding chaser, unbeaten in 8 starts over fences, producing highest Timeform rating over jumps in modern era when winning Champion Chase last month. Will remain extremely difficult to beat.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Sprinter Sacre
2. Finian's Rainbow
3. Cue Card

Timeform view:  Champion Chaser Sprinter Sacre is expected to take this step up in trip in his stride and maintain his unblemished record over fences. Cue Card and Flemenstar are both top-class rivals, but last year's victor Finian's Rainbow cannot be ignored now racing on better ground than previously this season and can complete a 1-2 for the Nicky Henderson yard.