Aintree: can Sprinter Sacre be beaten?

the main feature of the second day of Aintree´s Grand National meeting is the Melling Chase over 2 1/2 miles at 16.05 CET, and this promises to be the best race of the meeting, with superstar Sprinter Sacre (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) meeting the strongest opposition he has yet faced. He has won 12 of his 14 starts and is unbeaten in 8 starts over fences, demolishing the opposition on each occasion. However all his form is at 2 miles and he is into unknown territory here. 3 of his 5 rivals here are serious performers at this distance - stable companion Finian´s Rainbow (Tony McCoy) won the race last year and will be well suited by the going, Cue Card (Colin and Joe Tizzard) made all to win the Ryanair at Cheltenham in excellent style, beating yesterday´s big race winner by 9 lengths, while Flemensstar (Peter Casey/ Andrew Lynch) comes with a huge reputation from Ireland. On a,line throiugh First Lieutenant, Cue Card possibly has the advantage over Flemensstar, but we pr efer the Irish horse. Obviously Sprinter Sacre, who is easily the highest-rated N.H., horse currently in training, can win, but he makes no appeal at the likely long odds-on. This is very definitely a race to watch rather than to bet on, but we cannot resist a small wager on Flemensstar.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Forgotten Voice - Brick Red - Zuider Zee
2. Race: Dynaste - Rocky Creek - Super Duty
3. Race: Flemenstar - Cue Card - Finian`S Rainbow
4. Race: Chance Du Roy - Little Josh - Criqtonic
5. Race: At Fishers Cross - Road To Riches - Gevrey Chambertin
6. Race: Broadway Buffalo - Funny Star - Meister Eckhart
7. Race: Carole`s Spirit - Molly`s A Diva - Nouveau Moulin