by Tom O'Ryan

One man and Strong Promise, two of steeplechasing's heavyweights, clash for the second time this season at Aintree tomorrow in what promises to be another thrilling spectacle and a fight to the finish.

The £80,000 Mumm Melling Chase is the prize at stake, and One Man is fancied to land the knockout blow just as he did when taking on Strong Promise at Ascot in February.

On that occasion, Gordon Richards' popular grey won by five lengths and I think that he will confirm that superiority tomorrow.

Since that race, both horses have given classy performances at the Cheltenham Festival. One Man scored an outstanding victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase over two miles, while Strong Promise lost by only one and a quarter lengths to Cool Dawn in the Gold Cup over three miles and two furlongs.

Tomorrow's two and a half miles should be ideal for both horses. Brian Harding, who stepped in for the ride on One Man at Cheltenham and rode him superbly, again has the mount, while Norman Williamson will, as usual, be aboard Strong Promise.

There will be little to choose between the pair, but One Man is taken to win the day.

With Florida Pearl, the unbeaten Irish performer, not turning out for the Mumm Mildmay Novices' Chase, the way is left clear for his fellow-countryman Boss Doyle to lift this £40,000 race.

Boss Doyle has won five of his six starts over fences in Ireland. His only defeat was by Florida Pearl at Leopardstown in February when he failed by a length to concede 7lb to last month's Cheltenham star.

With Tony McCoy taking the mount, as he did at Leopardstown, Boss Doyle can clinch this valuable race for trainer 'Mouse' Morris.McCoy can also capture the Belle Epoque Sefton Novices' Hurdle on Unsinkable Boxer, trained by Martin Pipe.

Unbeaten in four starts this season, Unsinkable Boxer turned the Gold Card Hurdle Final at Cheltenham into a procession from a long way out and scored by an easy four lengths from Tompetoo.

The handicapper has since raised him by a massive 20lb. If that assessment is correct Unsinkable Boxer must have a sterling chance of lifting this Grade 1 contest.

At Sedgefield, where entry is free tomorrow, course and distance recent winner Harfdecent carries the Nap in the Reg and Ridley Lamb Memorial Handicap Chase. Peter Niven has the mount on this progressive gelding, who is trained by the in-form Mary Reveley.

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