Classy hurdlers Melon and Fakir D'Oudairies clash in intriguing beginners' chase

3.15 Navan
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase | 4yo+ | 2m1f | RTV

New role for Melon

Melon, who failed to win at Grade 1 level over hurdles despite twice finishing second in the Champion Hurdle, embarks on a new phase of his career when facing 12 rivals.

The winner of two of his 14 starts over hurdles, the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old put up his best performance when beaten a neck by Buveur D’Air at Cheltenham in 2018 before finding the ill-fated Espoir D’Allen 15 lengths too good last season.

Paul Townend, who partners Melon, said: “I’m looking forward to riding him and he’s been schooling very well. He came up a bit short in the big races over hurdles and, hopefully, fences might improve him.”

Fakir leads McManus team

Fakir D’Oudairies, another who competed at Grade 1 level over hurdles, is one of four JP McManus-owned runners.

Fakir D'Oudairies: a smart hurdler last termCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Trained by Joseph O’Brien, the four-year-old finished fourth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and was also runner-up in Grade 1 events at Aintree, where he was beaten a neck by Pentland Hills, and at the Punchestown festival.

O’Brien said: “Fakir D’Oudairies ran twice over fences in France before we got him. He did quite well over hurdles and has been schooling nicely.

“We’re looking forward to getting him started and hope he goes well in what looks quite a hot race.”

McManus’s other runners include chasing first-timer Off You Go, who won four times over hurdles for trainer Charles Byrnes.

Elliott runs two

Gordon Elliott runs I’m A Game Changer, who makes his stable debut having won four times over hurdles when trained by Philip Hobbs, and Milan Native.

“I’m A Game Changer finished second on his only chase start in Britain,” said Elliott. “He’s well but might need the run.

“Milan Native, who won a maiden hurdle over the course last season, will be having his first run over fences and will probably do better when he tackles a longer trip.”

Family fortunes

The father and son team of Philip and Luke Dempsey team up with Caravation, twice a course winner over hurdles for the pair last season having previously won a point-to-point and a bumper.

Danny Mullins partners Salty Boy, the winner of a handicap hurdle at the course last season, for his mother, Mags. The six-year-old finished fourth on his chasing debut at Cork last month.

Get ahead of the game with Get Your Eye In - exclusive Saturday preview content on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app from 2pm on Friday