Mullins: Melon is still inexperienced but looks to have a good chance

Melon, twice second at Grade 1 level in a light campaign last season, makes his reappearance in the six-runner Grade 2 WKD Hurdle at Down Royal (1.50), in which trainer Willie Mullins will also be represented by Coquin Mans.

Following a ten-length win on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown, Melon started favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, where he lost out to Labaik.

He again started favourite at the Punchestown festival only to be undone by stablemate Cilaos Emery.

Mullins said of Ruby Walsh’s mount: “Melon has had only three runs over hurdles so he’s still a bit inexperienced. However, his form last season was quite good and he was probably a bit unlucky not to win at Punchestown. He looks to have a good chance.

“Paul [Townend] rides Coquin Mans and, unlike Melon, who hasn’t run since April, he will have race fitness on his side.

"He’s dropping back in trip, which shouldn’t be a problem, and his last run when he finished second to Jezki at Tipperary was a good one.”

Dual hurdles winner Mick Jazz represents Gordon Elliott and will be making his first appearance since beating Cilaos Emery at Punchestown in February, while the Karl Thornton-trained Wakea, runner-up on his last two starts, was a course and distance winner of a handicap hurdle at this meeting a year ago.

Mystic Theatre will be bidding to give Mullins and Walsh a fourth consecutive win in the Grade 3 Lough Construction Ltd Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle (1.15).

They were successful with Airlie Beach a year ago and previously with Listen Dear and Morning Run, and Mystic Theatre will be putting her unbeaten record over hurdles on the line.

The six-year-old made it four from four over hurdles when scoring by ten lengths in a 2m4f Listed hurdle at Gowran Park on her most recent start in September.

Mullins said: "Mystic Theatre has done everything right so far. She's won over the trip, so dropping back shouldn't be an issue. She's in good form."

Mystic Theatre's five rivals include the Jessica Harrington-trained four-year-old Lesley Dawn, who receives 10lb from the Mullins- trained mare.

Lesley Dawn was ridden by Walsh when she won her only race over hurdles by 16 lengths at Punchestown in May.

Harrington said: "She was very impressive when winning at Punchestown. We like her a lot and think she's good, so we're looking forward to a good run."

Making a quick reappearance is the John Kiely-trained Just Janice, who scored at Galway on Monday.

Read exclusive previews from 6pm daily on racingpost.com