WELL CHIEF, an expensive casualty at last month's Cheltenham Festival, heads to Merseyside tomorrow to bid for handsome compensation in the feature race on day two of Aintree's Grand National meeting.

Trained by David Pipe, Well Chief, who had returned to action this season in scintillating style at Newbury, was considered by many to be one of the Cheltenham bankers' in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, but an early fall put paid to those expectations.

Thankfully, none the worse for that tumble, Well Chief is surely going to prove very hard to beat in the Grade 1 John Smith's Melling Chase.

Earlier in the week, connections were of the opinion that the ground might prove too lively for Well Chief to take part, but they have declared him, anyway, and their bold decision is expected to be richly rewarded.

Taranis, winner of the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham, is expected to give Well Chief most to do, along with northern hope, Monet's Garden, who produced a below-par performance in the Ryanair', but who was found to be off-colour afterwards. Back to his best, Monet's Garden could run a big race, at a meeting where he has shone in the past.

Ferdy Murphy, who is extra keen on the chances of Joes Edge in Saturday's Grand National, can warm-up for the big race by taking the John Smith's Mildmay Novices' Chase with Aces Four.

Graham Lee's mount ran a blinder at Cheltenham to finish third to Denman in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase, and might well have claimed second spot had he not stuttered on landing at the third-last fence.

Tomorrow's only race over the National fences is the John Smith's Topham Chase, in which Le Volfoni is selected to oblige for Paul Nicholls.

Although it is some time since he last scored, Le Volfoni has been lightly-raced this season and was an encouraging fourth in the Racing Post Plate at last month's Cheltenham meeting. Fresh, as well as fit, he should go well on the forecast lively ground that is not expected to inconvenience him.

Tomorrow's nap selection is awarded to Turbo Linn in the John Smith's Mares' Only National Hunt Flat Race.

Trained near Richmond, North Yorkshire by Alan Swinbank, who is invariably a man to have on your side in these races, Turbo Linn has won all four of her starts and has been massively impressive. The experience she has gained already, plus her crystal clear talent, makes her a formidable force and it will surely take a good one to lower her colours.

On the Flat at Southwell, make a note of Kevin Ryan's newcomer Well Informed in the southwell-racecourse.co.uk Maiden Fillies' Stakes. A daughter of Averti, she will have been well taught for her debut and will have the assistance of Neil Callan.

Feelin Irie (2.20), a winner over this course-and-distance a couple of weeks ago, is fancied to produce an encore in the amateur riders' race in the hands of the experienced Simon Walker, while Whinhill House (2.55), who resumed winning ways at this venue 11 days ago, has good prospects.

Racing selections
Tomorrow

Aintree
2.00 Aces Four, 2.35 Witchita Lineman, 3.10 Well Chief, 3.45 Le Volfoni, 4.20 De Soto, 4.55 Reveillez, 5.30 Turbo Linn (NAP).

Southwell
2.20 Feelin Irie, 2.55 Whinhill House, 3.30 Well Informed, 4.05 Salsadar, 4.40 Moonlight Applause, 5.15 Diktatorship.

Tomorrow's other meeting: Folkestone (National Hunt).

Today's meetings: Aintree, Taunton (both National Hunt), Leicester (Flat).