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Supreme Novice second Melon makes his seasonal return this afternoon, as Willie Mullins' exciting second season hurdler meets five rivals at Down Royal.
The five-year-old came to the Cheltenham Festival having only ran once over hurdler, as Ruby Walsh steered him to a comfortable ten length victory at Leopardstown.
A hot favourite for the curtain raising Grade One, he performed excellently to go down to the quirky outsider Labaik in the closing stages.
At Punchestown he was defeated by a length to stable rival Cilaos Emery, but he is improving and remains full of potential at the start of the season.
The 16-1 fancy for next year's Champion Hurdle, is odds-on to take the Grade Two WKD Hurdle (1:50) this afternoon.
"Melon seems in good form and a second-season novice race like this is a nice starting point for him," said the master of Closutton.
"It will be a fair examination for him as Coquin Mans has a high rating and is as fit as a flea.
"Melon has only had the three runs over hurdles, so he's entitled to improve, but I'm sure he'll improve for the run, too.
"He's running pretty early in the season for one of ours and we'll know a lot more about him after the race."
Mullins' Coquin Mans is the biggest danger to Melon. The five-year-old lost his unbeaten record at Tipperary last time out where former Champion Hurdler hero Jezki beat him by four lengths.
Mick Jazz represents Gordon Elliott, and has already registered Grade One success. The six-year-old hasn't visited the track since narrowly striking at the top level at Punchestown in February.
Wakea, Forge Meadow and Tellthemnuttin also take their chance.
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