Home / Horse Racing / Kalahari King Reopposes Albertas Run After Cheltenham Disappointment

Melling Chase Odds: Ryanair winner Albertas Run bids for another double

Jonjo O'Neill's Albertas Run is bidding for a second successive Cheltenham-Aintree double in the Melling Chase at Aintree on Friday. The 10-year-old is looking to follow up Ryanair success with Melling glory as he did last year and goes in as 7/2 favourite with Boylesports, but faces competition from the likes of Kalahari King, Master Minded and Somersby in an ultra-competitive field for the Grade One chase.

Albertas Run will again be partnered with AP McCoy as they bid for a famous double. They won the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham Festival and followed up with a convincing win in the Melling Chase last year. O'Neill is taking the same route this year and they achieved the first goal last month by retaining the Ryanair title after Albertas Run stayed on well to defeat Kalahari King by a length, and he will have to beat Kalahari again this week.

Kalahari King is available at odds of 4/1 for the 2 mile 4 furlong chase after staying on well in the Ryanair but came up just short in the end. Ferdy Murphy's 10-year-old just lacked a little bit in trying to overhaul Albertas Run and has now gone more than a year since winning a race - the last was at Doncaster in February 2010. The gelding fell in the Melling at Aintree last year when 4/1 joint favourite, but that shouldn't put prospective punters off too much as he was winner of the 2009 Maghull Novices Chase at Aintree and could well deny Albertas Run.

Boylesports.com offer odds of 5/1 for a couple of horses who will be making the step up in trip to 2 miles 4 furlongs for the first time in a while. Paul Nicholls' Master Minded is industry best priced and makes the step up in trip after finishing a disappointing eighth in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The 8-year-old failed to match the pace and takes on the trip for the first time since finishing second in the 2008 Melling after starting the race as 2/5 odds on favourite. An impressive win in the 2m 3f Amlin Chase on his seasonal reappearance will certainly raise hopes and Nicholls' gelding is undoubtedly a classy performer after winning the Victor Chandler and Tingle Creek chases this season.

Henrietta Knight's Somersby is also priced 5/1 and steps up in trip for the first time since finishing second to Mad Max in the Manifesto Novices last April. The 7-year-old finished fifth in the Champion Chase to continue a record of running well in defeat, although it is worth noting that Knight has said that she doesn't expect to see the best of Somersby until next season when she steps him up to 3 miles.

Nicky Henderson goes in dual-handed meanwhile after surprisingly opting not to run the 2008 and 2009 Melling Chase winner Voy Por Ustedes, who will next be seen at Punchestown Festival. Henderson does boast 6/1 punt and Game Spirit Chase winner French Opera though after the 8-year-old finished sixth in the Champion Chase. Henderson also enters Champion Chase tenth Mad Max, who can be backed at odds of 10/1 after winning the Manifesto Novices Chase at last year's Aintree Meeting.

Elsewhere, Tranquil Sea is priced 7/1 by Boyles after withdrawing from the Ryanair late on, for which he had been a leading contender, while Tartak, Chaninbar and Made In Taipan complete the ten entry field.

Latest Melling Chase Odds

7/2 Albertas Run*
4/1 Kalahari King
5/1 Master Minded*
5/1 Somersby
6/1 French Opera
7/1 Tranquil Sea
10/1 Mad Max
14/1 Tartak
25/1 Made In Taipan
50/1 Chaninbar

Odds supplied by Boylesports.com, who provide a comprehensive betting service for the Aintree Meeting this week.

Posted: Thursday, 7th April 2011
Author: Chris James
Tags: grand national, melling chase, albertas run, kalahari king, boylesports,

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