Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MELON TO PROVIDE A TWIST IN THE TALE VALUE SCOPE
THERE’S a juicy bet in the Ryanair Chase.
MELON (2.30) has been runner-up at the last four Cheltenham Festivals, including in two Champion Hurdles.
He couldn’t have gone any closer to winning the Marsh Novices’ Chase when nosed out by Samcro 12 months ago and it’s not worth worrying about his last-of-five finish in the Irish Gold Cup over 3m last month.
Willie Mullins’ hope is much better over today’s 2m4f distance.
I can’t see him finishing out of the frame so have 2pts each-way at
7-1.
Paisley Park will be a warm order as he attempts to win the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle for the second time.
Emma Lavelle’s (right) ace, the 2019 champion, has obvious claims but
IF THE CAP FITS (3.05) has the ability to win this.
He’s been running over fences this season and he’s made it pretty clear he hates that game. His Aintree Grade 1 defeat of Roksana and Apple’s Jade two years ago, when he overcame a shuddering last-flight mistake, gives him a sound chance.
Ground conditions should be ideal and the cheekpieces he seems to like are back on combined with a tongue tie for the
with FOUR top tips
first time. He’s unexposed over 3m and the 33-1 on offer with sponsors Paddy Power, who are paying out on five places, is too big.
Have 1pt each-way.
I was tempted by Two Taffs in the Paddy Power Plate but DEAD
RIGHT (3.40) looks a better bet.
He is at his best when fresh so it’s a help he hasn’t run since winning at
Market Rasen in September. The feature of that race was Dead Right’s slick jumping off a fast pace and he will like the drying conditions.
Have 1pt each-way at 30-1. The sponsors are among those paying out on six places.
MILLINER (1.55) was originally a reserve for the Pertemps Hurdle
Final but he has snuck in at the bottom for Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead.
He went for home too soon when third at Punchestown a couple of weeks ago and he is unexposed over this 3m distance. Have 2pts each-way at 9-1 with bookies pay six places.
POLITOLOGUE is set for a Celebration Chase clash with Altior at Sandown on April 24 after his dramatic late scratching from yesterday’s Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Paul Nicholls withdrew the title-holder after discovering a trickle of blood from one of the grey’s nostrils.
“It could have been a bang on the nose to cause it, but you just can’t take any chances,” said Nicholls.
“Hopefully he can go to Sandown now, where he can take on Altior.”