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UN DE SCEAUX — RYANAIR CHASE Thursday (2.50) BEATEN by Sprinter Sacre when 4-6 for last year’s Champion Chase, but he is two from two this winter — landing Sandown’s Tingle Creek before following up in the Clarence House at Cheltenham in January. MULLINS SAYS: I think the Ryanair trip will be fine for him — there are no stamina doubts.

He won over two and a half miles on heavy ground as a four-year-old and I think he could get three miles now.

Every morning he wants to be competitive, but he’s probably easier to ride in a race.

He’s settled a lot better than he used to — the horse is calming down as he gets older. NEWSBOY’S VIEW: Has definitely looked a calmer proposition in two Grade 1 victories in Britain this winter, with soft ground helping his chance both times.

A strong contender for the Ryanair — but would he be running in the race if Douvan wasn’t in the Champion Chase? ODDS: 5-2 MELON, BUNK OFF EARLY, CRACK MOME, CILAOS EMERY — SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE Tuesday (1.30) A LAST-FLIGHT blunder didn’t stop 4-9 favourite Melon (left), justifying glowing homework reports with a 10-length hurdling debut victory under Ruby Walsh at Leopardstown in January.

Bunk Off Early finished second at the top level at Leopardstown last time out, while hurdles debut scorers Crack Mome and Cilaos Emery were beaten at odds-on last time. MULLINS SAYS: Melon is a horse with plenty of ability — he has the potential to be right up there. He is a fine, strong, tall horse, who lacks experience.

Although our previous winners of the race had had more practice, Fiveforthree won the Neptune after just one run over hurdles.

We have done it before — just not in the Supreme.

Melon has plenty of jumping experience at home, and he seems a natural jumper.

Bunk Off Early has Grade 1 form but I’d say it will be an easy enough decision for Ruby.

I think Crack Mome and Cilaos Emery have good enough form to be placed, if not win it, if things go right for them. NEWSBOY’S VIEW: The form of Melon’s Leopardstown win is a world away from what’s needed to win the Festival curtain-raiser.

Connections would no doubt have preferred to give him further match practice over timber — but Mullins has won the Supreme Novices’ five times and his enthusiasm is infectious. ODDS: 4-1