Will Melon come good for the first time in 785 days? Patrick Mullins reckons so

Melon is on the menu at Gowran Park on Saturday and, after 785 days without a win, Patrick Mullins believes an ideal opportunity has been found to finally end the drought in the Red Mills Chase (3.30).

There can't be too many 164-rated horses who have won as little as Melon has over the years but just one chase victory and two hurdle wins does not even begin to tell the tale of the much-loved ten-year-old.

Melon has been runner-up at no fewer than four Cheltenham Festivals – the 2017 Supreme, the Champion Hurdle in 2018 and 2019 and the Marsh Novices' Chase in 2020 – but he has not managed to get his head in front since landing a beginners' chase at Leopardstown's Christmas festival in 2019.

That is a long time between drinks for a horse of his calibre but Mullins expects a belated fourth win to arrive on Saturday under Paul Townend.

The all-time champion amateur said: "This looks an ideal opportunity for Melon, to be stepping out of Grade 1 class and getting allowances. It's probably his ideal trip and a local track so everything is in his favour and we'd be expecting him to finally get his head in front.

"It's been a while but he's been dining at the top table and running well for the most part, going agonisingly close on a few occasions, so this looks a nice opportunity for him."

Mick Winters: 'Chatham Street Lad is a bit of an old hand, he always finds his own form'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Among Melon's four rivals in the Grade 2 contest is mud-loving Chatham Street Lad and the ever-colourful Mick Winters is hoping a point-to-point winner on Sunday will set the tone for a return to form for his Kanturk stable.

Winters said: "The horses were quiet for a while too but we won a point-to-point on Sunday so it might be starting to turn for us. Chatham is a bit of an old hand, he always finds his own form but I've done a lot with him going down to the races. He was at the Knockanard point-to-point track on Monday and he's been in Aghabullogue. He's had little bits of variety work.

"He puts his heart into it and he might tire from the last but he mightn't either. We'll consider the likes of the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham, and maybe the Topham at Aintree over the Grand National, but the Red Mills Chase is a big race and a good race, and we'll be looking for a good run."

Patrick Mullins with Saldier: they face Quilixios and Teahupoo in a Gowran Park crackerCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Last year's Triumph Hurdle winner Quilixios takes on Teahupoo and Galway Hurdle hero Sadlier in the Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle (2.20).

Mullins, who was on board Saldier for his big win at Ballybrit, said of the eight-year-old: "On ratings, he should be involved but I just wonder if he would like nicer ground and if the soft ground at Gowran will play to his strengths, so we'd be more hopeful than confident. But if he were to handle it, he should be competitive."

As well as sponsoring the two main events, Red Mills is also looking after the hospitality for owners and trainers with runners on the day, as well as the canteen for the stable staff.

Saturday cards

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