11 in contention for Melling Chase glory

There is a powerful Irish challenge for the Betfred Melling Chase at Aintree on Friday.

Willie Mullins' Boston Bob, Henry de Bromhead's Days Hotel, the Mouse Morris-trained Rathlin and Toner d'Oudairies from Gordon Elliott's stable are among a field of 11 declared for the Grade One over two and a half miles.

Module, third in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, leads the home defence, along with Ballynagour, who was an impressive winner of the Byrne Group Plate at the Cheltenham Festival.

Nicky Henderson, who has taken the last two renewals of this race with Sprinter Sacre and Finian's Rainbow, has Ryanair Chase third Rajdhani Express and French Opera this time.

Completing the list are Rolling Aces, Wishfull Thinking and Pepite Rose.