RACING/Aintree: Only Flagship Uberalles could better Native Upmanship at Cheltenham, and the Irish star is fancied to gain winning compensation today.
The £120,000 Martell Melling Chase features the best two-milers - bar Flagship Uberalles. But crucially it is run over two and a half miles.
That might not be ideal for Latalomne, who threatened to spring a huge shock in the Champion Chase only to crash out at the second last, or even Tiutchev, who ran only fifth at Cheltenham after an interrupted preparation.
However, two and a half miles on decent ground is perfect for Native Upmanship, who is a Grade One winner at the trip already and who has done well since his festival exertions 23 days ago.
"He is in very good form and I couldn't be happier with him," confirmed Arthur Moore yesterday.
"The trip should suit him and I'm not too worried about the ground. I haven't talked to the lads about it but it looks perfectly okay." On yesterday's evidence, an ability to act on quick ground is essential and that might present a challenge to Native Upmanship in terms of his jumping.
"Sometimes he can take a while to warm up and that can catch him out," said jockey Conor O'Dwyer, but there was no evidence of that at Cheltenham when Native Upmanship powered up the hill.
The other Irish runner in the day's big race is Alcapone, who would probably prefer this to be a two-mile contest, and a bigger danger to Native Upmanship could be last year's winner, Fadalko.
There are six Irish horses scheduled to line up for the Topham Chase over the big fences, including JP McManus's Shannon Gale and the Cheltenham-placed Its Time For A Win.
Again, the going could have a big impact. The traditional belief is also that horses with Cheltenham form are best avoided in handicaps here, and the selection is Korakor.
The Ian Williams-trained eight-year old is at his best on a flat track and on fast ground. He should have circumstances to his liking.
There are no Irish in the Grade Two novices' hurdle and the Tony McCoy-ridden Westender, just edged out by Like-A-Butterfly at Cheltenham, is almost certain to start favourite.
Just behind him in the Supreme, however, was In Contrast, who had to come from further behind in that race and crucially had to do it from further back in the field.
The Irish should make their presence felt in the concluding handicap hurdle, however, and after the seven winners he saddled at Fairyhouse's Easter festival during the week, few will be willing to look further than Noel Meade.
Fnan kicked off Meade's success with a smooth win on Sunday and on the basis of that, and his ability to handle decent ground, the horse should be able to make his presence felt.
Jonjo O'Neill was on the mark yesterday and can add to his tally with Joss Naylor in the Grade One novices' hurdle.
