led and pressed, ridden before last, headed approaching last where mistake, no extra in 2nd run-in, kept on same pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, improved into 2nd before last, pushed along to narrow lead approaching last, slight mistake last, ridden and kept on strongly to assert run-in
held up, 5th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, closer in 4th next, ridden before last, under pressure in 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in
raced close 2nd and pressed leader, ridden before 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, 4th run-in and kept on one pace
held up, 4th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, ridden and no impression before next, soon no extra
rear and soon well behind, never a factor
This has been won by the likes of Jezki, Monksland and Identity Thief in recent years and MELON is expected to reach the highest level this campaign. Much-touted before his first start for Willie Mullins at Leopardstown in January, which he won easily, he then found shock winner Labaik on his best behaviour in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle before a surprise defeat by stable companion Cilaos Emery in the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown. He should be much stronger this campaign and should take this on the way to the Morgiana at Punchestown. Stable companion Coquin Mans was unbeaten in all starts before finding a revitalised Jezki too good at Tipperary though was conceding 7lb. He looks the main threat to the selection though Mick Jazz beat Cilaos Emery at Punchestown in February and looks another very smart prospect. Wakaan's short-head defeat by Rashaan here in September was a cracking effort and he appears to be over his jumping problems.
Coquin Mans (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Led, jumped right, pressed 2 out and soon headed, ridden and no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Jezki (11-0) at Tipperary 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Melon 5-4fav (11-12) Disputed lead, led 2nd, slight mistake 4th, joined before next, not fluent 2 out, gained narrow lead before straight, headed and kept on without matching winner from 100yds out, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Cilaos Emery (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Mick Jazz (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders in 5th, headway 3 out, went 3rd on inner next, ridden in 2nd before last, disputed lead at last, ran on well on stands' rail run-in, improved to lead close home, all out, won at Punchestown 2m lst (1) sft in Feb beating Cilaos Emery (11-8) by nk, 7 ran.
Wakea (USA) 16-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 2nd from 5th, slight mistake 2 out, ridden to dispute entering straight, led before last, headed run-in, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Campeador (11-12) at Punchestown 2m Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Forge Meadow (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Soon mid-division, progress into 4th 3 out, ridden entering straight, no extra before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, 24 3/4l behind Campeador (11-12) at Punchestown 2m Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Tellthemnuttin (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Dwelt, soon towards rear in 8th, 6th before straight where raced on outer, soon no impression and kept on without threatening, 5th of 9, 9 1/4l behind Decision Time (9-6) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f mdn fll hvy in Oct.
