Deadly duo bid to get the meeting off to a flyer with tasty Melon

1.30 Cheltenham
Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) | 4yo+ | ITV/RUK

There is a familiar feel about this year's curtain-raiser with Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh again teaming up with the likely market leader.

The duo completed a treble in the race between 2013 and 2015 and only missed out on a fourth straight success when Min finished runner-up to Altior last season.

However, with only one run over hurdles to his name, Melon does not bring the same air of invincibility to the race past Mullins-trained winners Vautour and Douvan boasted.

While not the strongest renewal on paper, Melon still needs to be as good as his reputation suggests he is to land a Grade 1 of the Supreme's magnitude with only an easy win in a Leopardstown maiden hurdle in the bag.

Mullins, bidding for a sixth win in the race, also saddles Grade 1 runner-up Bunk Off Early, Cilaos Emery and Crack Mome.

Last year's Champion Bumper winner Ballyandy is rated Melon's biggest threat by the bookmakers. He has taken time to warm to hurdling, but had the measure of his handicap rivals in the Betfair Hurdle last time, which has proved a good form guide to this race in the past.

Nicky Henderson relies on unbeaten hurdlers River Wylde and Beyond Conceit as he bids to follow up a first and third in the race last year.

Less is more

Melon might have to overcome inexperience to win but less can be more in this race with three winners in the last ten runnings scoring off the back of two runs or less for their trainer that term. Two of those were handled by Melon’s trainer Willie Mullins.

A bit of previous

In the last ten years, Nicky Henderson has had 12 runners make the frame in the Supreme, including last year’s winner Altior. He also won with River Ceiriog in 1986 and Flown in 1992, who like River Wylde had previously taken the Dovecote Hurdle at Kempton.

What they say

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Ballyandy
He won the Betfair Hurdle well and we know what a good trial that race can be for races like this. He was cantering going to the last and I was very, very pleased with him and I think he's improved since those early defeats. He looked a different horse that day, and it won't do us any harm that one or two of his tastier opponents are going elsewhere or are sidelined. I think he has a great chance.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Beyond Conceit and River Wylde
We debated long and hard about the Neptune for Beyond Conceit, but he was very good over two miles at Newbury and Barry Geraghty felt he rode like a two-miler there. He pulled very hard there, and again at Ascot, and I think a good gallop over two will be ideal for him. River Wylde is a genuine two-miler. He's sharp, and has been doing it around sharp tracks, but he finished his race very strongly in the Dovecote at Kempton and I don't think Cheltenham will be a problem.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Bunk Off Early, Cilaos Emery, Crack Mome and Melon
Melon is a horse we rate very highly and bar a mistake at the last he was very impressive when winning his maiden hurdle at Leopardstown by ten lengths. He's been doing all the right things at home and has done a lot of schooling and done it very well. He's come to Cheltenham in really good form and we think we've done everything right to have him spot-on.

I thought Bunk Off Early's run in the Deloitte Hurdle, in which he finished second to Bacardys at Leopardstown, was a very good one. The-two-and-a-quarter-mile trip probably found him out a bit and we think today's shorter trip on ground that is drying out will suit. He jumps well and a strong pace would be a big help. I can see him running a big race.

Cilaos Emery was impressive at Navan on his hurdling debut before being a bit disappointing at Punchestown. He'll need to improve on that form and we're hoping that he will and that he might get a share of the prize money. Crack Mome will appreciate a good pace and while he needs to improve he's a smart horse who jumps well.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Capital Force
I give him an outside shot of being in the money. His form is quite solid and he's in good form.

Alan King, trainer of Elgin
He will definitely be much happier around Cheltenham than the flat tracks he has been encountering. He lost nothing in defeat when trying to give weight to River Wylde at Kempton and could well run better than his odds suggest.

Amanda Perrett, trainer of Glaring
It's just a shame we haven't been able to get another run into him. He lacks a little bit of experience over hurdles but has plenty of Flat experience in big races. He travels well, the strong gallop will help him and the ground will suit him. He's a class Flat horse and deserves to take his chance.

Ben Pauling, trainer of High Bridge
We could not have him any better and he's not had to do anything more than the bare minimum to win his races this year. I always wanted to go to the Supreme and, with the race cutting up over the last few weeks, it's opened up for everyone. Alex Ferguson [rider] knows the horse inside out and has been great on him so far. Not being able to claim his 7lb is a shame but at the same time I wouldn't be changing him. I'm very hopeful for a big run.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Labaik
He's a horse with loads of ability but he's a monkey and has refused to jump off a few times. If he goes with them he's capable of a big run, but you can't trust him.

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Pingshou
It's a very hot race but he's won at Cheltenham and didn't quite get the trip last time over two and a half. He still ran well that day but we decided to go for this race.

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