Racecards
15:30 Gowran Park (IRE)
Red Mills Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- €37,500 added
- Winner: €22,501
- 2nd: €7,501
- 3rd: €3,750
- 4th: €1,875
- Form 125-214
- Age 9
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 157
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey Sean Flanagan
tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent at 2nd, dropped to 3rd after 7th, 2nd after 9th, slow jump at 10th and dropped to 3rd, disputed 2nd 3 out, weakened to rear before last
- Form 43/F-24P
- Age 10
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 155
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey B J Cooper
in touch, improved to 2nd after 7th, 3rd after 9th, 2nd after 10th, disputed 2nd 3 out, no impression on leader in 2nd last, weakened in 3rd closing stages
- Form 35PP-34
- Age 10
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 164
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Paul Townend
made all, not fluent at 1st, travelled well before 3 out where jumped right, asserted before last where jumped right, kept on well, easily
- Form 1F5P-3U
- Age 8
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 153
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey R M Power
held up in rear, slightly detached at 3rd, took closer order at 5th, progress before 4 out, mistake 3 out, improved to 3rd before last, kept on in 2nd closing stages, no chance with winner
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
MELON has only won once over fences though his last nine starts have been in Grade 1 company including when beaten a nose by Samcro in the Golden Miller at Cheltenham in 2020. His two runs this campaign, behind Allaho at Punchestown and Galvin at Leopardstown, suggest he's almost as good as ever and he should have the legs of these. Daly Tiger loves testing conditions and won over hurdles on heavy ground at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day. He beat Tornado Flyer in a Punchestown handicap in 2020 and could chase home the selection. Hardline looked a future start when landing a Grade 1 over fences in his novice days but hasn't made the expected progress while Chatham Street Lad is unsuited by the race conditions. Sizing Pottsie has yet to prove he stays this far.
Formwatch
Daly Tiger (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders disputing 4th, dropped to last and pushed along at halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no impression on leaders in 3rd before last, 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 9l behind Autumn Evening (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m sft in Jan.
Hardline (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders early, mid-division at 4th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Melon 22-1 (11-12) Chased leader, 3rd at 8th, took closer order after 11th, under pressure in 4th after 2 out, 5th last, ridden and kept on to 4th closing stages, 4th of 8, 5 1/4l behind Galvin (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Sizing Pottsie (FR) 6-1 (12-0) Led or disputed lead early, mistake 2nd and dropped to 3rd, no impression before 4 out, no extra when mistake and unseated rider 2 out, at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Dec.
Chatham Street Lad (IRE) 28-1 (11-7) Towards rear, mistake 10th and 12th, went 4th before 5 out, chased leaders 3 out, one pace from 2 out, never got on terms, 3rd of 7, dist behind A Plus Tard (11-7) at Haydock 3m 2f (1) gs in Nov.