Jonbon heads nine entries for the Grade 1 Melling Chase at Aintree on Friday.

Second in the Champion Chase at Aintree, following jumping errors, Jonbon won this two-and-a-half mile race last year and in fact Nicky Henderson's charge has won at this meeting for the past three years.

Jonbon's first Aintree win, in 2022, came at the expense of El Fabiolo and that horse is one of three Willie Mullins entries for next Friday's chase, along with Embassy Gardens and Gaelic Warrior.

However, the biggest threat to Jonbon next Friday could come from the Henry de Bromhead-trained Heart Wood, who finished second in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham earlier this month.

Cheltenham Festival winners Caldwell Potter (Paul Nicholls), Myretown (Lucinda Russell) and Jango Baie (Henderson) feature amongst the 17 entries for the Mildmay Novices’ Chase, with the latter’s Sandown conqueror, Ben Pauling’s Handstands, another notable name.

Gordon Elliott’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle third Romeo Coolio is the headline draw in the Top Novices’ Hurdle, while there are 21 entries for the other top-level contest on the card, the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle.

ENTRIES FOR AINTREE ON FRIDAY

Current Going

Mildmay & Hurdle Courses: Good, Good to Soft in places

Grand National Course: Good to Soft

1:45pm Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 3m 210y

Boombawn (IRE) 8 Bullen-Smith & Faulks Dan Skelton

Butch 8 McNeill Family & Ralston Family Olly Murphy

Caldwell Potter (FR) 7 Ferguson, Mason, Hales, Done & Hogarth Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

Dancing City (FR) 8 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins Ireland

Don't Rightly Know 10 Mr J. P. Selby Polly Gundry Charlie Deutsch

Fascile Mode (IRE) 7 Mrs H. Mullins Thomas Mullins Ireland

Handstands (IRE) 6 Mr T. P. Radford Ben Pauling Ben Jones

Impaire Et Passe (FR) 7 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland

Jango Baie (FR) 6 Countrywide Park Homes Ltd Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville

Jordans (FR) 6 Cheeky Pups Syndicate Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland

Myretown (IRE) 8 Wymer & Russell Lucinda Russell Patrick Wadge

Quai de Bourbon (FR) 6 Gigginstown House Stud W. P. Mullins Ireland

Resplendent Grey (IRE) 7 Mrs R. J. Skan Olly Murphy

Riskintheground (IRE) 8 3 Sons Dan Skelton

Shecouldbeanything (IRE) 8 Mr M. J. Hanrahan Gordon Elliott Ireland

Stellar Story (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

The Changing Man (IRE) 8 Susan and John Waterworth Joe Tizzard Brendan Powell

17 entries

2:20pm William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 2m 4f

Act of Authority (FR) 7 Mrs Diana L. Whateley Olly Murphy

Beacon Edge (IRE) 11 Cheeky Pups Syndicate Gordon Elliott Ireland

Be Aware (FR) 6 Mr Andrew L. Cohen Dan Skelton

Blenkinsop 8 Mrs L Nixon Henry Daly

Break My Soul (IRE) 6 Matthew Rogers Ian Patrick Donoghue Ireland

Brentford Hope 8 The Optimists Syndicate Harry Derham

Cracking Rhapsody (IRE) 6 Mr J D Wright & Mrs S Wright Ewan Whillans Craig Nichol

Dominic's Fault 8 Mrs Diana L. Whateley Olly Murphy

East India Express (IRE) 6 EIC RACING & TABLE FIVE Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville

El Granjero (IRE) 6 C & C Boultbee Brooks Clive Boultbee-Brooks Richard Patrick

Favour And Fortune (IRE) 7 Hemmings Racing Alan King Tom Cannon

Fiercely Proud (IRE) 6 Mr T. P. Radford Ben Pauling Ben Jones

Gin Coco (FR) 9 David's Partnership Harry Fry Bryan Carver

Go Dante 9 Mrs Barbara Hester Olly Murphy

Guard The Moon 7 James & Jean Potter Ltd Nigel Twiston-Davies

Hamsiyann (IRE) 5 Mr P. Davies A. J. Martin Ireland

Hansard (IRE) 7 Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates Hansard Gary & Josh Moore

Hardy du Seuil (FR) 8 The Hardy Souls Jamie Snowden

Helnwein (IRE) 7 Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates Helnwein Alan King Tom Cannon

Ike Sport (FR) 7 The Chosen Few Neil Mulholland

Imperial Jade (IRE) 6 Andrew Fox-Pitt Charlie Longsdon

Impose Toi (FR) 7 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson

Jurancon (FR) 6 Brocade Racing David Pipe Jack Tudor

Just Ennemi (FR) 5 Mr David Maxwell Harry Derham Mr David Maxwell

Kabral du Mathan (FR) 5 Neil Smith & Alfie Smith Paul Nicholls

Kala Conti (FR) 5 Robcour Gordon Elliott Ireland

Kopeck de Mee (FR) 5 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland

Lario (GER) 6 OLBG Racing Club Harry Derham

Listentoyourheart (IRE) 6 S T Racing - The Founders' Syndicate Dan Skelton

Minella Missile (IRE) 7 Mrs Janet Davies Evan Williams Adam Wedge

Minella Rescue (IRE) 7 Mr Simon Boucher Gary Hanmer Jack Hogan (3)

Navajo Indy 6 M Baker, K Ibberson and H Pearman Tom Symonds Gavin Sheehan

No Ordinary Joe (IRE) 9 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville

Off The Jury (IRE) 6 Mr David Maxwell Alan King

Park of Kings (IRE) 7 Mr John P. McManus Paul Nolan Ireland

Rightsotom (GER) 6 Mrs Mary-Ann Middleton Joe Tizzard Brendan Powell

Serious Operator (IRE) 8 The Operators Lucinda Russell

Spirit d'Aunou (FR) 6 Heart of the South Racing 130 Gary & Josh Moore Freddie Mitchell (5)

Steel Ally (FR) 7 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Sam Thomas Dylan Johnston (3)

Tellherthename (IRE) 6 The Megsons Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill

Tintintin (FR) 6 Caveat Emptor Partnership Fergal O'Brien Jonathan Burke

Tune In A Box (IRE) 6 Woolhope Hopefuls Tom Lacey

Wade Out (IRE) 6 Ferguson, Mason, Hales & Done Olly Murphy

Wellington Arch 6 Mr M J Gaskell Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill

Western Walk (IRE) 8 Ruth Brown & John Loughlin Jonathan Sweeney Ireland

Wreckless Eric 5 The Megsons Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill

46 entries

2:55pm Trustatrader Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 103y

Blues Singer 5 Mrs E. Roberts Alan King

Castle Carrock (IRE) 6 Mr J. Law Alan King

Diva Luna (IRE) 6 Mrs L. Maclennan Ben Pauling Ben Jones

Fingle Bridge (IRE) 7 McNeill Family & Stone Family Olly Murphy

Gaucher 6 Mrs Rose Boyd/Mrs Marie J. Armstrong W. P. Mullins Ireland

Gibbs Island 4 RaceShare - Gibbs Island Tom Lacey Stan Sheppard

Jet To Vegas (IRE) 6 Fyffe, Walkingshaw & Russell Lucinda Russell

Joltin N Jiving (IRE) 5 Craig & Laura Buckingham Donald McCain Brian Hughes

Karbau (FR) 5 Barnane Stud,Partner & Temple Bloodstock W. P. Mullins Ireland

Khrisma (FR) 5 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville

Romeo Coolio 6 KTDA Racing Gordon Elliott Ireland

Royal Infantry (IRE) 6 Craig & Laura Buckingham Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

Rubber Ball 5 Peter Beadles Neil King Jack Quinlan

Salvator Mundi (FR) 5 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins Ireland

Tripoli Flyer (IRE) 6 Mr Ismail El Magdoub Fergal O'Brien Jonathan Burke

Tutti Quanti (FR) 5 Mr Colm Donlon Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

Valgrand (FR) 6 HIghclere Thoroughbred Racing - Grand Dan Skelton

17 entries

3:30pm My Pension Expert Melling Chase (Grade 1) 2m 3f 200y

El Fabiolo (FR) 8 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland

Embassy Gardens 9 Sean & Bernardine Mulryan W. P. Mullins Ireland

Gaelic Warrior (GER) 7 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland

Heart Wood (FR) 7 Robcour Henry de Bromhead Ireland

Jonbon (FR) 9 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville

Libberty Hunter 9 Mr & Mrs William Rucker Evan Williams

Master Chewy (IRE) 8 Anne-Marie & Jamie Shepperd Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies

Matata (IRE) 7 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nigel Twiston-Davies

Protektorat (FR) 10 Sir A Ferguson G Mason J Hales & L Hales Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

9 entries

4:05pm Randox Supporting Prostate Cancer UK Topham Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (Grand National Fences) 2m 5f 19y

Ash Tree Meadow (FR) 9 12 0 Alymer Stud Ltd Gordon Elliott Ireland

Gentleman de Mee (FR) 9 11 11 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland

Blue Lord (FR) 10 11 8 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland

Ga Law (FR) 9 11 8 The Footie Partnership Jamie Snowden

James du Berlais (FR) 9 11 8 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland

French Dynamite (FR) 10 11 5 Robcour M. F. Morris Ireland

Ginny's Destiny (IRE) 9 11 4 Gordon & Su Hall Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

Minella Drama (IRE) 10 11 4 Green Day Racing Donald McCain

Soul Icon 8 11 1 This time next year maybe Keiran Burke

Eldorado Allen (FR) 11 11 1 J P Romans & Terry Warner Joe Tizzard

Latenightpass 12 11 0 Mrs P. A. Ellis Tom Ellis

Adamantly Chosen (IRE) 8 11 0 Watch This Space Syndicate W. P. Mullins Ireland

Glengouly (FR) 9 11 0 Roaringwater Syndicate W. P. Mullins Ireland

Marble Sands (FR) 9 10 13 DL Adams, JA Adams & G McPherson David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Fantastic Lady (FR) 10 10 12 Mr E. R. Hanbury Nicky Henderson

Le Milos 10 10 12 The Jolly Good Partnership Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

Amirite (IRE) 9 10 12 Patrick Hale Henry de Bromhead Ireland

Gemirande (FR) 9 10 11 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams

Bad (FR) 6 10 10 Mr D. P. Howden Ben Pauling

Richmond Lake (IRE) 9 10 10 Hemmings Racing Donald McCain

Grandeur d'Ame (FR) 9 10 8 Syders & Burkes Alan King

Arizona Cardinal 9 10 8 Oakman Racing Club Stuart Edmunds

Mars Harper 9 10 8 Pioneer Racing Gordon Elliott Ireland

The King of Prs (IRE) 7 10 8 Mr Damien Dillon Gavin Cromwell Ireland

The Goffer (IRE) 8 10 7 Mr Allan Snow Gordon Elliott Ireland

Dreal Deal (IRE) 10 10 7 Mr Mark Devlin John McConnell Ireland

Shantreusse (IRE) 9 10 6 Mr Anthony Head Henry de Bromhead Ireland

Riaan (IRE) 8 10 6 Philip J. Reynolds Gordon Elliott Ireland

Jetoile (IRE) 10 10 6 Ms J. Bennett Ryan Potter

Lounge Lizard 8 10 5 Arnold, Lukas, Leitao and Wrigley Henry Daly

Lisnamult Lad (IRE) 8 10 5 Matthew Rogers Ian Patrick Donoghue Ireland

Brave Kingdom (FR) 9 10 3 Graeme Moore, Kate & Andrew Brooks Paul Nicholls

Western Zephyr (IRE) 8 10 3 Swanee River Partnership Charlie Longsdon

Escaria Ten (FR) 11 10 3 J B Property Investments (Midlands) Ltd Martin Keighley

Excello (FR) 6 10 2 Mrs Angela Yeoman Nicky Henderson

Booster Bob (IRE) 7 10 1 Mrs Diana L. Whateley Olly Murphy

Mayhem Mya 8 10 0 Mr G. Thompson Chris Honour

Tyre Kicker (FR) 8 10 0 C. Reynolds Gavin Cromwell Ireland

Statuario 10 10 0 Mrs N. Unsworth Peter & Michael Bowen

Highstakesplayer (IRE) 9 10 0 Mr Jerry Hinds & Mr Ashley Head Tom Lacey

Vintage Fizz 8 9 13 Fine Claret Racing & Mr T.S. Ingham Jedd O'Keeffe

If Not For Dylan (IRE) 10 9 2 Mr T. Carruthers Lucinda Russell

42 confirmations

4:40pm Oddschecker Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m 149y

Argento Boy (IRE) 6 Mrs Audrey Turley W. P. Mullins Ireland

Ayiko 6 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede S. R. B. Crawford Northern Ireland

Ballybow (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Battle Born Lad 6 J Saxby, M Simmons & G Yalbur Mark Walford Jamie Hamilton

Califet En Vol (IRE) 6 McNeill Family & Stone Family Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville

Crest of Fortune 5 Crest Racing VI Anthony Honeyball Sam Twiston-Davies

Familiar Dreams 6 Mrs N. Galvin Gordon Elliott Ireland

Holloway Queen (IRE) 5 Unique Financial Racing Partnership Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville

Honesty Policy (IRE) 5 Mr John P. McManus Gordon Elliott Ireland

Jacob's Ladder (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Jet Blue (FR) 6 Prof. Caroline Tisdall D. Cottin France

Julius des Pictons (FR) 6 The Footie Partnership Jamie Snowden

Jupiter des Mottes (FR) 6 Mr Anthony Peter Fowler Lucinda Russell

King of Answers (IRE) 6 Claymore Racing - King Of Answers Lucinda Russell

Laganhill 7 THE FAST CAST Henry Daly

Minella Rescue (IRE) 7 Mr Simon Boucher Gary Hanmer

Mister Meggit (IRE) 7 Hemmings Racing Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Moon Rocket (IRE) 5 Youneverknow Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls Tom Bellamy

Port Joulain (FR) 6 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland

Wade Out (IRE) 6 Ferguson, Mason, Hales & Done Olly Murphy

Western Knight (IRE) 6 The Wychwood Partnership Joe Tizzard Brendan Powell

21 entries

5:15pm Hallgarten and Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys' and Amateur Riders' Race) 2m 103y

Afadil (FR) 6 Mr P. J. Vogt Paul Nicholls

Alnilam (FR) 6 Mrs A Williams and Mr A Badri Olly Murphy

Big Boy Bobby (IRE) 7 Incipe Partnership Alan King

Big Ginge (IRE) 5 Mr J. D. Neild Nigel Twiston-Davies

Break My Soul (IRE) 6 Matthew Rogers Ian Patrick Donoghue Ireland

Brentford Hope 8 The Optimists Syndicate Harry Derham

Cavern Club (IRE) 5 The Good Stock Syndicate James Owen

Celtic Dino (FR) 6 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Sam Thomas Dylan Johnston

Cormier (IRE) 9 Dan Gilbert and Andrew Bruce Brian Ellison

Country Park (IRE) 6 Mrs Gay Smith Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill

Dance And Glance 5 Mere Racing Anthony Honeyball Not Qualified

Diamonds For Luck (IRE) 6 Mrs Diana L. Whateley & Mr Aiden Murphy Olly Murphy

Dominic's Fault 8 Mrs Diana L. Whateley Olly Murphy

Fiercely Proud (IRE) 6 Mr T. P. Radford Ben Pauling

Go Dante 9 Mrs Barbara Hester Olly Murphy

Grimaud (FR) 5 Mr David L'Estrange Gordon Elliott Ireland

Hamsiyann (IRE) 5 Mr P. Davies A. J. Martin Ireland

Hara Kiri (FR) 8 Premier Plastering (UK) Limited Olly Murphy

Helnwein (IRE) 7 Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates Helnwein Alan King

Jack Hyde (IRE) 7 Paddy Brennan Racing Syndicate Jack Hyde Fergal O'Brien

Jazzy Matty (FR) 6 Top Man Racing Syndicate Cian Collins Ireland

Kabral du Mathan (FR) 5 Neil Smith & Alfie Smith Paul Nicholls

Kings Hill (IRE) 6 PNT Partnership Paul John Gilligan Ireland

Lario (GER) 6 OLBG Racing Club Harry Derham

Lump Sum (FR) 7 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Sam Thomas Dylan Johnston

Lunar Sovereign (IRE) 9 Mr John Griffin Sophie Leech

Luttrell Lad (IRE) 9 Owners for Owners Luttrell Lad Tom Lacey

Manuelito 5 Wayne Clifford & Ian Gosden Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Melon (GER) 4 Rockerfellers Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Moon Chime 7 DL Adams, JA Adams & G McPherson David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Old Gregorian 6 Mr R. Gibbons Lucinda Russell

Relieved of Duties (IRE) 6 Robcour Gordon Elliott Ireland

Rightsotom (GER) 6 Mrs Mary-Ann Middleton Joe Tizzard Caoilin Quinn

Samui 6 Mr Allan Snow Gordon Elliott Ireland

She's A Saint (IRE) 8 Estate Research PC Limited Dan Skelton Tristan Durrell

Sisterandbrother 7 Mr J. Morris Shaun Harris

Slugger 6 Fight club Harry Derham

Sorceleur (FR) 5 John White & Anne Underhill Paul Nicholls

Spirit d'Aunou (FR) 6 Heart of the South Racing 130 Gary & Josh Moore Caoilin Quinn

Static (FR) 4 Mr J. Fyffe Donald McCain

Tapley 8 The Plumpton Party Suzy Smith

Tintintin (FR) 6 Caveat Emptor Partnership Fergal O'Brien

Turn And Finish (IRE) 4 Michael Fiddy & Richard Fleming Harry Derham

Tutti Quanti (FR) 5 Mr Colm Donlon Paul Nicholls

Washington 9 Syders & Burkes Harry Derham

Wellington Arch 6 Mr M J Gaskell Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill

46 entries

ENDS