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Aintree Race 4 - My Pension Expert Melling Chase (Grade 1) (Gbb Race)

The Cheltenham curse continued for JONBON (2) when he was second at short odds in the G1 Queen Mother Champion Chase last time making a shuddering mistake after suffering trouble at the start. Can return to winning ways and prove successful defending his crown in this contest. EL FABIOLO (1) looked a superstar winning his first six starts tackling fences. Needs to prove he retains that ability after a shock defeat when second in the G2 Webster Cup Chase at Navan last month. Racing for trainer Willie Mullins and could prove the main danger if building on that. Forecast good ground is a slight concern for PROTEKTORAT (4) although it's tough to ignore this former G1 course winner who finished a respectable fourth tackling the trip in the G1 Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham. MATATA (3) rounds out the quartet.

Race Time:2:30 PM

Friday, April 4, 2025

Track:Good

Weather:Cloudy

Prize Money:$0.00

Distance:4005m

El Fabiolo (1)11x11p2x02

Trainer: Willie Mullins (Muine Bheag, Co Carlow)12 mths 15: 8-3-1

Jockey: P Townend

Weight: 74.5kgs

8 yo Bay G

Sire: SPANISH MOON (USA)

Dam: SAINTE MANTE (FR)

Dam's Sire: Saint Des Saints

Stats

Prize Money$894,061.00

Avg $$59,604.07

Win %53.33%

Place %80.00%

Career15: 8-3-1

Track1: 0-1-0

Distance0: 0-0-0

Tr / Dist0: 0-0-0

1st Up6: 3-1-0

2nd Up5: 3-1-1

Firm0: 0-0-0

Good4: 2-2-0

Soft3: 2-0-0

Heavy2: 1-1-0

Synthetic0: 0-0-0

Comments

Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up didn't finish the race at Leopardstown in the G1 Dublin Chase on February 2 over 3400m. Second run from a spell finished second in a small field at Navan in the G2 Webster Cup Chase on March 1 over 4100m, in the wet; 1.3 len behind Senecia carrying 75.5kg at $1.40. Needs to re-find prior form.

Last Starts 33 days since last start

Place	Date	Days	Class	Prize	Track	Dist.	Cnd.	Jockey	Weight	Race Time	In Run	Result	Margin	Starting Price
2/5	01/03/2025	27	G2 OPEN 5U	$77,210.00	Navan	4123m	Heavy	P Townend	75.5kg	5:36.00	-	1. Senecia 2. El Fabiolo 3. Fil Dor	1.3L	$1.36
99/8	02/02/2025	281	G1 OPEN 5U	$260,150.00	Leopardstown	3419m	Y	J J Slevin	75.5kg	4:07.40	-	1. Solness 2. Marine Nationale 3. Gaelic Warrior	0.0L	$4.00
2/7	27/04/2024	45	G1 CHSE 5U	$308,540.00	Sandown Park Uk	3118m	Good	P Townend	74.5kg	3:48.00	-	1. Jonbon 2. El Fabiolo 3. Edwardstone	4.0L	$1.67
0/6	13/03/2024	38	G1 CHSE 5U	$718,600.00	Cheltenham	3218m	Soft	Paul Townend	74.5kg	4:10.91	-	1. Captain Guinness 2. Gentleman De Mee 3. Funambule Sivola	99.0L	$1.22
1/5	04/02/2024	56	G1 CHSE 5U	$257,380.00	Leopardstown	3419m	YS	Paul Townend	75.5kg	4:17.20	-	1. El Fabiolo 2. Dinoblue 3. Captain Guinness	8.5L	$1.36
1/6	10/12/2023	227	G2 CHSE 5U	$173,430.00	Cork	3319m	SH	Paul Townend	76kg	4:25.20	-	1. El Fabiolo 2. Fil Dor 3. Maskada	4.8L	$1.20
1/4	27/04/2023	44	G1 NCHSE 5U	$209,870.00	Punchestown	3218m	GY	Paul Townend	75.5kg	3:59.20	-	1. El Fabiolo 2. Dysart Dynamo 3. Indiana Jones	11.0L	$1.25
1/9	14/03/2023	38	G1 NCHSE 5U	$313,060.00	Cheltenham	3199m	Soft	Paul Townend	73kg	3:55.22	-	1. El Fabiolo 2. Jonbon 3. Saint Roi	5.5L	$2.10
1/8	04/02/2023	45	G1 NCHSE 5U	$231,120.00	Leopardstown	3420m	Y	Daryl Jacob	75.5kg	4:08.00	-	1. El Fabiolo 2. Banbridge 3. Appreciate It	10.0L	$5.50
1/5	21/12/2022	236	BCHSE 4U	$20,030.00	Fairyhouse	3219m	Soft	Paul Townend	75.5kg	4:13.09	-	1. El Fabiolo 2. Colonel Mustard 3. Highland Charge	19.0L	$1.20
1/9	29/04/2022	21	NHDLE 4U	$29,590.00	Punchestown	3219m	GY	Paul Townend	75.5kg	3:55.50	-	1. El Fabiolo 2. Ha D'or 3. Da Capo Glory	4.0L	$1.62

Jonbon (2)12x11x1112

Trainer: Nicky J. Henderson (Lambourn)12 mths 21: 17-4-0

Jockey: N De Boinville

Weight: 74.5kgs

9 yo Bay G

Sire: WALK IN THE PARK (IRE)

Dam: STAR FACE (FR)

Dam's Sire: Saint Des Saints

Stats

Prize Money$2,189,551.00

Avg $$104,264.33

Win %80.95%

Place %100.00%

Career21: 17-4-0

Track3: 3-0-0

Distance1: 1-0-0

Tr / Dist1: 1-0-0

1st Up7: 7-0-0

2nd Up6: 5-1-0

Firm0: 0-0-0

Good14: 11-3-0

Soft9: 7-0-0

Heavy2: 2-0-0

Synthetic0: 0-0-0

Comments

Racing well. Last run finished second of 8 starters at Cheltenham in the G1 Queen Mother Champion Chase on March 12 over 3200m, 18 len behind Marine Nationale carrying 74.5kg at $1.80. Race before favourite; won by 6 len Ascot in a G1 Clarence House Steeple Chase on January 18 over 3370m defeating Energumene with 74.5kg at $1.60 in a jumps. Hard to beat bidding to win this in back to back seasons.

Last Starts 22 days since last start

Place	Date	Days	Class	Prize	Track	Dist.	Cnd.	Jockey	Weight	Race Time	In Run	Result	Margin	Starting Price
2/8	12/03/2025	53	G1 OPEN 5U	$738,010.00	Cheltenham	3199m	Good Soft	Nico De Boinville	74.5kg	3:57.91	-	1. Marine Nationale 2. Jonbon 3. Captain Guinness	18.0L	$1.83
1/4	18/01/2025	42	G1 OPEN 5U	$322,880.00	Ascot Uk	3371m	Good	Nico De Boinville	74.5kg	4:06.59	-	1. Jonbon 2. Energumene 3. Edwardstone	6.5L	$1.62
1/6	07/12/2024	22	G1 OPEN 4U	$322,880.00	Sandown Park Uk	3108m	Heavy	Nico De Boinville	74.5kg	4:05.03	-	1. Jonbon 2. Quilixios 3. Jpr One	8.0L	$1.62
1/4	15/11/2024	202	G2 OPEN 4U	$174,080.00	Cheltenham	3218m	Good	Nico De Boinville	74.5kg	3:57.00	-	1. Jonbon 2. Boothill 3. Edwardstone	1.5L	$1.33
1/7	27/04/2024	15	G1 CHSE 5U	$308,540.00	Sandown Park Uk	3118m	Good	Nico De Boinville	74.5kg	3:48.00	-	1. Jonbon 2. El Fabiolo 3. Edwardstone	4.0L	$2.88
1/7	12/04/2024	76	G1 CHSE 5U	$447,550.00	Aintree	4023m	Soft	Nico De Boinville	74.5kg	5:12.29	-	1. Jonbon 2. Conflated 3. Protektorat	1.3L	$2.10
2/5	27/01/2024	49	G1 CHSE 5U	$187,970.00	Cheltenham	3319m	Good Soft	James Bowen	74.5kg	4:14.79	-	1. Elixir De Nutz 2. Jonbon 3. Fugitif	0.3L	$1.25
1/4	09/12/2023	20	G1 CHSE 4U	$304,640.00	Sandown Park Uk	3118m	Heavy	Nico De Boinville	74.5kg	4:05.19	-	1. Jonbon 2. Edwardstone 3. Haddex Des Obeaux	2.8L	$1.30
1/4	19/11/2023	204	G2 CHSE 4U	$174,080.00	Cheltenham	3218m	Soft	Nico De Boinville	74.5kg	4:05.53	-	1. Jonbon 2. Edwardstone 3. Nube Negra	9.5L	$1.44
1/5	29/04/2023	14	G1 CHSE 5U	$286,440.00	Sandown Park Uk	3118m	Good Soft	A Coleman	74.5kg	3:50.70	-	1. Jonbon 2. Captain Guinness 3. Greaneteen	3.8L	$1.62
1/4	15/04/2023	32	G1 NCHSE 5U	$221,400.00	Aintree	3178m	Good Soft	A Coleman	73kg	3:47.89	-	1. Jonbon 2. Marvel De Cerisy 3. Fusain	43.0L	$1.18

Matata (3)2240x21213

Trainer: N A Twiston-Davies (Cheltenham)12 mths 17: 6-6-1

Jockey: J J Slevin

Weight: 74.5kgs

7 yo Bay G

Sire: VADAMOS (FR)

Dam: WATTREY (GB)

Dam's Sire: Royal Academy

Stats

Prize Money$320,517.00

Avg $$18,853.94

Win %35.29%

Place %76.47%

Career17: 6-6-1

Track2: 0-0-0

Distance0: 0-0-0

Tr / Dist0: 0-0-0

1st Up5: 3-2-0

2nd Up3: 1-2-0

Firm0: 0-0-0

Good9: 4-2-0

Soft4: 1-0-0

Heavy2: 1-1-0

Synthetic0: 0-0-0

Comments

Freshened for 55 days. Last outing finished third in a small field at Newbury in the G2 Game Spirit Chase on February 8 over 3300m, on slow going 2 len behind Master Chewy carrying 71kg at $2.40. The start before that; to post a big 10 len win. Windsor on January 19 over 3230m on rain affected going defeating Unexpected Party carrying 76kg at $3 in a steeplechase. This is another step up in class.

Last Starts 54 days since last start

Place	Date	Days	Class	Prize	Track	Dist.	Cnd.	Jockey	Weight	Race Time	In Run	Result	Margin	Starting Price
3/5	08/02/2025	20	G2 OPEN 5U	$152,170.00	Newbury	3319m	Soft	J J Slevin	71kg	4:09.10	-	1. Master Chewy 2. Libberty Hunter 3. Matata	2.0L	$2.38
1/8	19/01/2025	42	HCP CHSE 5U	$92,250.00	Windsor	3248m	Soft	J J Slevin	76kg	4:03.18	-	1. Matata 2. Unexpected Party 3. Crebilly	10.0L	$3.00
2/7	08/12/2024	21	HCP CHSE 4U	$138,380.00	Kelso	3432m	Soft	Sam Twiston-Davies	75kg	4:29.32	-	1. Nells Son 2. Matata 3. Tommy's Oscar	0.3L	$4.20
1/4	17/11/2024	23	STPLE HCP 4U	$86,620.00	Cheltenham	3218m	Good	Sam Twiston-Davies	75.5kg	4:03.21	-	1. Matata 2. Third Time Lucki 3. Calico	26.0L	$2.10
2/8	25/10/2024	195	STPLE HCP 4U	$179,450.00	Cheltenham	3218m	Good	Daryl Jacob	73.5kg	3:51.55	-	1. Calico 2. Matata 3. Dancing On My Own	0.3L	$3.50
10/10	13/04/2024	32	G1 NCHSE 5U	$215,580.00	Aintree	3218m	Good Soft	Sam Twiston-Davies	73kg	4:00.48	-	1. Found A Fifty 2. Master Chewy 3. Libberty Hunter	35.3L	$15.00
4/10	12/03/2024	51	G1 NCHSE 5U	$331,510.00	Cheltenham	3218m	Soft	Sam Twiston-Davies	73kg	4:08.36	-	1. Gaelic Warrior 2. Found A Fifty 3. Il Etait Temps	19.3L	$23.00
2/5	21/01/2024	20	G2 NCHSE APP 5U	$134,270.00	Lingfield	3218m	Soft	Daryl Jacob	71kg	3:55.37	-	1. Jpr One 2. Matata 3. Pembroke	0.5L	$3.75
2/5	01/01/2024	78	NCHSE HCP 5U	$45,370.00	Cheltenham	3319m	Heavy	Daryl Jacob	74.5kg	4:16.40	-	1. Libberty Hunter 2. Matata 3. Fine Casting	1.0L	$2.75
1/6	15/10/2023	184	NCHSE HCP 4U	$31,760.00	Ffos Las	3218m	Good Soft	Daryl Jacob	74.5kg	3:52.98	-	1. Matata 2. Cruz Control 3. Manorbank	10.0L	$3.25
6/12	14/04/2023	41	G1 NHDLE 4U	$184,500.00	Aintree	3313m	Good Soft	Daryl Jacob	73kg	4:06.90	-	1. Inthepocket 2. Strong Leader 3. Luccia	11.5L	$81.00

Protektorat (4)32313x6214

Trainer: Dan Skelton (Alcester)12 mths 31: 8-8-5

Jockey: Harry Skelton

Weight: 74.5kgs

10 yo Bay G

Sire: SAINT DES SAINTS (FR)

Dam: PROTEKTION (FR)

Dam's Sire: Protektor

Stats

Prize Money$1,577,496.00

Avg $$50,886.97

Win %25.81%

Place %67.74%

Career31: 8-8-5

Track4: 2-0-1

Distance5: 1-2-1

Tr / Dist2: 1-0-1

1st Up10: 2-3-1

2nd Up8: 2-2-1

Firm0: 0-0-0

Good11: 3-1-1

Soft8: 3-0-0

Heavy3: 0-2-1

Synthetic0: 0-0-0

Comments

Impressive in recent runs. Last run finished fourth of 9 starters at Cheltenham in the G1 Ryanair Steeple Chase on March 13 over 4130m, 19 len behind Fact To File carrying 74.5kg at $6. Race before won by 23 len Windsor on January 19 over 4440m on rain affected going defeating Djelo carrying 74.5kg at $4.30 in a steeplechase. Gets a chance to win. Only beaten 2.5L by Jonbon in this last season.

Last Starts 21 days since last start

Place	Date	Days	Class	Prize	Track	Dist.	Cnd.	Jockey	Weight	Race Time	In Run	Result	Margin	Starting Price
4/9	13/03/2025	53	G1 OPEN 5U	$691,880.00	Cheltenham	4139m	Good Soft	Harry Skelton	74.5kg	5:09.61	-	1. Fact To File 2. Heart Wood 3. Envoi Allen	19.8L	$6.00
1/6	19/01/2025	42	WFA CHSE 5U	$304,430.00	Windsor	4462m	Soft	Harry Skelton	74.5kg	5:39.12	-	1. Protektorat 2. Djelo 3. Journey With Me	23.0L	$4.33
2/5	08/12/2024	22	G2 OPEN 4U	$147,600.00	Huntingdon	3995m	Soft	Harry Skelton	74.5kg	5:07.26	-	1. Djelo 2. Protektorat 3. Ginny's Destiny	6.0L	$2.50
6/15	16/11/2024	218	STPLE HCP 4U	$269,470.00	Cheltenham	4023m	Good	Harry Skelton	76kg	4:59.53	-	1. Il Ridoto 2. Ga Law 3. Lets Go Champ	17.3L	$10.00
3/7	12/04/2024	29	G1 CHSE 5U	$447,550.00	Aintree	4023m	Soft	Harry Skelton	74.5kg	5:12.29	-	1. Jonbon 2. Conflated 3. Protektorat	2.5L	$5.50
1/11	14/03/2024	33	G1 WFA CHSE 5U	$716,100.00	Cheltenham	4139m	Soft	Harry Skelton	74.5kg	5:21.43	-	1. Protektorat 2. Envoi Allen 3. Conflated	4.0L	$9.50
3/5	10/02/2024	20	G2 CHSE 5U	$152,170.00	Newbury	4727m	Heavy	Harry Skelton	73.5kg	6:00.00	-	1. Shishkin 2. Hitman 3. Protektorat	4.8L	$4.33
2/6	21/01/2024	36	CHSE 5U	$299,470.00	Lingfield	4425m	Soft	Harry Skelton	74.5kg	5:35.32	-	1. L'homme Presse 2. Protektorat 3. Iwilldoit	2.3L	$3.00
3/8	16/12/2023	21	STPLE HCP 4U	$188,090.00	Cheltenham	5230m	Soft	Harry Skelton	76kg	6:49.09	-	1. Broadway Boy 2. Threeunderthrufive 3. Protektorat	3.0L	$17.00
4/4	25/11/2023	253	G1 CHSE 5U	$344,580.00	Haydock Park	5129m	Soft	Harry Skelton	74.5kg	6:50.80	-	1. Royale Pagaille 2. Bravemansgame 3. Corach Rambler	28.5L	$3.50
5/13	17/03/2023	48	G1 CHSE 5U	$1,118,070.00	Cheltenham	5294m	Soft	Harry Skelton	74.5kg	6:45.46	-	1. Galopin Des Champs 2. Bravemansgame 3. Conflated	15.3L	$26.00