Teahuppo and Melon to shine
By Andrew Atkinson
Gordon Elliott trained Teahupoo (2.20) is tipped to land the Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle over 2 miles at Gowran Park on Saturday, under jockey Robbie Power.
2021 Triumph Hurdle winner Henry de Bromhead trained Quilixios, under Rachael Blackmore and Willie Mullins trained Saldier also go to post amongst the seven runners field.
Racing gets underway on the seven-race card meeting at 1.45, with Noel Meade trained Evergreen And Red tipped each-way by fromthehorsesmouth.info priced at 8-1 in the 2 miles Maiden.
Elliott saddles Banks Boy (8-1) (2.55) with D. O’Regan up, tipped each-way in the 21 runners’ Tote Jackpot Is Back Handicap, over 2m 4f. Yabo (7-1) is also worthy of each-way support.
Melon (3.30) with Paul Townend up, is odds-on and tipped to win the Grade 2 Class 1 Red Mills Chase, over 2m 4f.
Ten-year-old Melon, runner-up four times at the Cheltenham Festivals, last returned to the winner’s enclosure at Leopardstown’s 2019 Christmas Festival.
Trainer Paul Mullins believes the Red Mills Chase is Melon’s ideal trip and being at a local track everything is in his favour: “We’d be expecting him to finally get his head in front – it’s been a while – but he’s been dining at the top table and this looks a nice opportunity for him,” said Mullins.
Willie Mullins trained Blue Sari (4.05) gets the nod over Gordon Elliott trained Grand Paradis, with D. O’Regan in the saddle.
Bryan Cooper takes the ride on A.J. Martin trained Sil Ver Klass (4.40) tipped to win the 2 miles Novice Handicap Chase.
Ms M. Mullins saddles Irish Woman (5.15) under Miss A. Hourigan, tipped to land the EBF Mares Flat race over 2 miles 1 furlong.
Caption: Robbie Power rides Teahupoo (2.20).
