Melon might never get a better chance to add another win to his impressive CV

Saturday: 3.30 Gowran Park
Red Mills Chase (Grade 2) | 2m4f | 5yo+ | RTV

Melon doesn't win as often as he should but he might never get a better chance to add to his tally than in this Grade 2.

The official ratings suggest a second chase win is a foregone conclusion. His mark of 164 is 7lb superior to Daly Tiger and 9lb better than Hardline and he is coming into the race on the back of another solid effort in Grade 1 company in the Savills Chase.

He was only beaten just over five lengths by leading Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Galvin, earning him an RPR of 163, and he received an identical RPR when third to Allaho in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown in December. A repeat of either of those two efforts would surely be good enough here.

The worrying thing is his ratio of wins to runs. He was 2-14 over hurdles and is just 1-11 over fences. If you are tempted to get stuck into him at a short price, that might put you off.

That is not to say the Grand National entry has forgotten his lines on stage or anything. A staggering 20 of his 29 starts have been in Grade 1 company so he ought to relish paddling in these shallower waters.

Champion jockey Paul Townend, who has only been on board for one of his last eight starts, is back in the saddle and he really should get the job done.

Perhaps his main danger is the mud-loving Chatham Street Lad for the colourful Mick Winters. His form on heavy ground reads 2616P131 and he will relish the underfoot conditions.

Winters has given him a break since finishing a distance third to A Plus Tard in the Betfair Chase but the ground wasn't soft enough for him there and these are more his terms and conditions. He might only be rated 150, a full stone less than Melon, but ground will bring them closer together and expect nothing less than a strong challenge from Chatham Street Lad.

Daly Tiger chased home Energumene in the Hilly Way at Cork back in December so that form doesn't look too bad now, but whether a true test over 2m4f on deep winter ground is what he ideally wants is debatable.

Sizing Pottsie might be better over shorter too and Hardline has been bitterly disappointing on his last two appearances so this could finally be the day when Melon ends the drought.

It has been 785 days since the four-time Cheltenham Festival runner-up last won a race but it looks like the wait might just be over.

What they say

Mick Winters, trainer of Chatham Street Lad
The horses were quiet for a while 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 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 after this.

Patrick Mullins, assistant trainer of Melon
This looks an ideal opportunity for him 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.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Hardline
He ran very well in a Grade 2 over this course and distance back in October but has disappointed us since. If he returns to that form from earlier in the season, he would have a squeak.

Read more previews:

1.50 Ascot: National Hunt Chase credentials on the line as Does He Know bids for Grade 2 win

2.05 Haydock: Olly Murphy 'can't be sure' if well-fancied Thomas Darby will handle the ground

2.20 Gowran Park: Triumph Hurdle hero Quilixios out to earn spot in Champion Hurdle line-up

2.25 Ascot: 'He could be a bit better than a handicapper' - can Fiddlerontheroof come good?

2.40 Haydock: Well-treated Sam Brown near-perfect at Haydock and has more improvement in him

3.20 Wincanton: 'Lots of people have doubted him, but I haven't. I know he's a good horse'

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