Melon, Samcro, Gin On Lime and Easy Game take each other on in top-notch Grade 3

BoyleSports An Riocht Chase (Grade 3) | 2m4f | 5yo+ | RTV

This is a cracking renewal with plenty of Graded winners lining up. The race has developed into a stepping stone towards the Galway Plate in recent seasons, with four of the last five winners subsequently lining up at Ballybrit.

Dual winner Peregrine Run came closest to winning the Plate when fourth to Borice in 2019.

That same plan may well be in the pipeline for many of these, including the admirable Melon.

The Willie Mullins-trained ten-year-old enjoyed the step down in class when comfortably landing a Grade 3 at Cork last month, and the dual Champion hurdle runner-up sets a good standard at the top of the ratings at 162.

Stablemate and recent Fairyhouse Grade 2 winner Easy Game joins Melon in the field, while last year’s runner-up Cilaos Emery completes the Closutton challenge.

Last year’s winner Samcro returns after finishing down the field behind Noble Yeats in the Grand National. The dual Cheltenham Festival winner is winless since and is now rated 12lb lower than when running out a game victor of this 12 months ago.

Gin On Lime may be the most intriguing runner in the line-up. Henry de Bromhead’s mare was in terrific form last autumn and wasn’t disgraced in the Manifesto at Aintree last time out.

Her sex allowance is overshadowed by a Graded penalty, but she gets a generous pull at the weights nonetheless and may prove more dangerous back on home soil.

Politesse returns to fences after a stint hurdling and she showed her ability when running away with a beginners’ event at Punchestown a year ago. She looked to be running a good race in this company at Cork and may be more suited to the better ground.

Minx Tiara is another enjoying a fine season and she received plenty of support on the back of that when going off a general 4-1 shot for the mares' handicap chase at the Punchestown festival. That wasn’t her best performance but her hurdles form would bring her into the argument.

Jessica Harrington last won this in 2006, and is doubly represented in her quest to land this year’s renewal. The trainer has drafted in champion conditional Jack Foley to partner Exit Poll, while Mark Walsh has been called up for the ride on Webster Cup winner Sizing Pottsie.

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Easy Game, Melon and Cilaos Emery
Easy Game and Cilaos Emery finished first and second in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last time. They were rather fortunate as the two principals both fell. Melon relished the drop in class when winning at Cork last month and hopefully will follow up here. He probably has most to fear from Easy Game.

David O’Brien, trainer of Minx Tiara
She’s enjoying a good season. Things didn’t work out for us at Punchestown, she ran too keenly. She’s in good form and hopefully we could run into a place. It’s competitive but she’s entitled to take her chance. She’s holding her form well.

Lorna Fowler, trainer of Politesse
She was running a pretty big race at Cork, and she had a significant injury that had her on box rest for a long time. I ran her over hurdles to get her confidence back, and fences play to her strength. I don’t think she’s had a chance to prove how good she is, but this is a hot race.

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