Cheltenham Festival bridesmaid and Grand National hero set for thrilling clash

Sunday: 3.30 Cork
Baroneracing.com Chase (Grade 3) | 3m | 5yo+ | RTV

A four-time runner-up at the Cheltenham Festival facing the 2021 Grand National winner makes this a very tasty dish indeed.

Melon has spent a lifetime playing the part of the bridesmaid. He was second in 2017 Supreme, runner-up in the Champion Hurdle in 2018 and again in 2019 and so narrowly touched off by Samcro in the 2020 Marsh Novices' Chase.

He is ten now but still retains plenty of ability according to the handicapper, who has him on a mark of 162 and the fifth win of his career arrived as recently as February, when he made all in the Red Mills Chase and looked to be in a very good place both mentally and physically.

He could not keep tabs on Allaho in the Ryanair, but few horses can and he shouldn't be judged too harshly on that. Perhaps now that he is getting older, he needs three miles to be at his best.

Melon: was back to winning ways at Gowran in FebruaryCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

A repeat of his Savills Chase fourth to Galvin and A Plus Tard, where he produced an RPR of 163, ought to suffice here.

Bryan Cooper is on board for only the second time and there won't be much competition for the lead if he wants to dictate matters.

Minella Times was brought down at Valentine's, only the ninth fence, when trying to defend his Grand National crown last weekend. The vibes from Henry de Bromhead going into the race were very strong too – he thought he had him back in rude health.

It is interesting to see him showing up here just eight days later and he is only 4lb inferior to Melon on official ratings. He is in receipt of 8lb so you could make a valid argument for him deserving to be favourite.

The Shunter has not lived up to expectations since his fine effort to finish a close fourth behind Royal Rendezvous in the Galway Plate. The ground probably went against him in the Coral Cup but ratings and recent form suggest he has it all to do.

He has stamina questions to answer at this trip too, as does Daly Tiger, while Darrens Hope has a mountain to climb on ratings.

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Melon
We might have found a good opportunity for him here. I think he’ll handle the track and the trip. There’s rain forecast for Sunday but dropping him down in grade worked for him at Gowran so we’re trying it again now.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Minella Times
He seems to have come out of Aintree in good form. What happened there was obviously unfortunate but fingers crossed this looks like it might be a good opportunity to get back on track.

Emmet Mullins, trainer of The Shunter
It’s back to the drawing board a bit after Cheltenham, he was very disappointing but I’d be willing to put a line through the form with the day that was in it and all the rain. He usually comes to himself in the spring so we’ll draw a line through Cheltenham and put it down to the deluge on the day.

Robert Murphy, trainer of Darrens Hope
It's a very competitive race but she's in good form. We were hoping to get her into the Irish National but that just didn't happen for her. She's got a nice, low weight so hopefully she has a chance.

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