Person: Melon

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

racing

Mug’s Game: Once more this week (like Liverpool) I hit the woodwork

Willie Mullins finished Wednesday on a high note, likening Ferny Hollow’s win in the bumper to scoring a goal just before half-time. I take heart from this. The second half is about to begin and I’m still in the game.

racing

Cheltenham: Faugheen surrenders unbeated record to Samcro on day two

The was a sense of foreboding around Cheltenham ahead of the opening race on day three of the Festival, those present waiting on news as to whether there would by a day four, writes Darren Norris

racing

From the doldrums to the winner's circle: Samcro beats Melon and Faugheen in thriller

The much-maligned Samcro got the better of Melon in a thrilling finish to the Marsh Novices' Chase, the opening race of the third day of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.

racing

Strong Irish team set to challenge Frodon in Ryanair

racing

Honey can claim the money

racing

Dublin Racing Festival: Big guns stand ground in Gold Cup

Melon strikes as City Island disappoints at Leopardstown

Dual Champion Hurdle runner-up Melon opened his account over fences with a battling display at Leopardstown.

Fri, 27 Dec, 2019

Bank on Benie in champion hurdle

The National Hunt season that has just finished was a very strange one. At times it felt like the season would never get going as we waited and waited for the skies to open. For us in racing, they never really did, but hopefully for the flat season ahead they won’t open now.

Sat, 18 May, 2019

Why now is the right time to call it a day

After 24 very good years, yesterday I bowed out after winning the Punchestown Gold Cup on Kemboy.

Thu, 02 May, 2019

Breaken can get the weekend off to a flyer

This weekend’s national hunt action takes place tomorrow and Willie has five runners to look forward to. He starts with Breaken, a recruit from France, where he ran on the flat three times and once over hurdles.

Sat, 30 Mar, 2019

Kaya ‘on track’ for Leopardstown

Sheila Lavery is planning to run Lady Kaya in the 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown next month ahead of a possible tilt at a fillies’ Classic.

Wed, 20 Mar, 2019

Espoir the surprise winner, but nothing new for McManus

For the third consecutive year, the fifth time in the last 10 runnings, and a record ninth time in total, the familiar green and gold colours of JP McManus were carried to victory in the Unibet Champion Hurdle.

Wed, 13 Mar, 2019

Cheltenham: Roksana takes full advantage of dramatic Benie Des Dieux exit

Beware The Bear claimed top honours in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

Tue, 12 Mar, 2019

RUBY WALSH: Klassical can give me dream start in opener

At the 11th hour we switched Klassical Dream back to the Supreme and he’ll be my first ride of the 2019 Cheltenham Festival. We had contemplated going up in trip with him after his win at the Dublin Racing Festival in Leopardstown but with the ground slowing and looking at the opposition – Felix Desjy will more than likely make it a strongly-run race – we thought this would be the right race for him.

Tue, 12 Mar, 2019

Buveur bids to join hurdling greats

Nicky Henderson reports Buveur D’Air to be in tip-top condition as he bids to become the sixth horse to record three successive victories in today’s Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Tue, 12 Mar, 2019

Battleoverdoyen sure to win plenty of wars

You cannot do what this horse has done in such a short time and not be regarded as potentially top class, writes Pat Keane.

Sat, 12 Jan, 2019

Faugheen among Willie Mullins' 11-strong Fairyhouse entry

Faugheen, Laurina and Benie Des Dieux are among a strong Willie Mullins entry for next month's baroneracing.com Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Wed, 07 Nov, 2018

Gripping finale lies in store

After a seemingly endless spell of testing ground, the weather has finally changed and the forecast for next week is for mainly dry weather, with the odd shower of rain, writes Ruby Walsh.

Sat, 21 Apr, 2018

True Self will be very hard to beat in Thurles

Willie sends Melon to Cheltenham for the International Hurdle and the first thing to acknowledge is that he is not well treated on ratings.

Sat, 16 Dec, 2017

Sceaux setback a big blow for Willie Mullins in title race

Willie Mullins made significant gains on Gordon Elliott in his quest to retain his trainers’ title, but suffered what could prove a fatal setback on the Punchestown festival’s opening day as the Colin Tizzard-trained Fox Norton proved too strong for Mullins’ Un De Sceaux in the most valuable race of the day, the Grade 1 Boylesports Champion Chase.

Wed, 26 Apr, 2017

Cheltenham Racing Festival - Gold Cup Day

Penhill primed for more success

The Punchestown Gold Cup is the feature on day two of the festival and, while former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree adds a different angle to it, all the form points to Sizing John.

Wed, 26 Apr, 2017

Un De Sceaux can complete perfect season

Given that, based on official rating, Fox Norton is superior to Un De Sceaux and a bigger price, it makes sense that he should be the selection in the Boylesports Champion Chase, but the make-up of the race is such, Un De Sceaux is likely to enjoy a solo up front, and that can ensure a fourth consecutive victory in a perfect season.

Tue, 25 Apr, 2017

If Willie Mullins finds a way, it will be the Miracle of Punchestown

In years gone by, I might have been preparing to ride in the Scottish National at Ayr this afternoon. Today, however, I will be riding work and, hopefully, will make it to the Aviva for the Munster match in the evening.

Sat, 22 Apr, 2017

Rule 212 action taken by Gowran stewards was extreme

It will be a surprise should the somewhat draconian penalties be allowed to stand, writes Pat Keane.

Sun, 19 Mar, 2017

Day One of battle cautiously negotiated and a little ahead

The acute pangs for the Cotswolds began early yesterday. To unload the frustration, I tapped on my phone and screamed as loud as I could on Twitter. ‘I hate, hate anyone heading to Cheltenham today’.

Wed, 15 Mar, 2017

Bad luck the only danger to Douvan in Champion

Yesterday was a day of near misses, but the horses ran well. I couldn’t have asked more of Melon, who just ran into a better one in the Supreme. 

Wed, 15 Mar, 2017

Five horses to lay at Cheltenham Racing Festival

Colm Greaves presents five opportunities where laying a horse may be less risky than backing them.

Tue, 14 Mar, 2017

Classy Melon can get my festival off to a flying start

It’s that time of year again, when National Hunt folk become consumed by the Cheltenham Festival, and while it’s going to be a long week, it’s also a tremendous occasion.

Tue, 14 Mar, 2017

Bargy Lady has plenty going for her in mares’ maiden hurdle

She has just come up against a good mare every time she has run, and this looks her best opportunity thus far, writes Ruby Walsh

Sat, 04 Mar, 2017

Melon form full of holes

Riddle me this, how is Willie Mullins’ Melon still favourite for Cheltenham’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle?

Sat, 25 Feb, 2017

Testing times for Rich Ricci

The difference colourful American racehorse owner, Rich Ricci, has made to the Willie Mullins yard cannot be underestimated.

Sat, 04 Feb, 2017

Cheltenham countdown: Is Melon ripe for Supreme glory?

Yes, says Tommy Lyons. No, says Darren Norris.

Wed, 01 Feb, 2017

Moloney back where it all began with Crokes

Four years ago he stood defeated in a Dr Crokes dressing room in Fitzgerald Stadium. Two broken ribs helped to focus his mind: enough, he was done.

Sat, 30 Nov, 2013

Vintage View: Autumn Stamford tea-set

Kya deLongchamps takes a peek at the pottery of Clarice Cliff, produced with naughty glee!

Sun, 10 Nov, 2013

Made in Killarney

He’s the most sublime talent in football, and a marketing dream for the GAA. But the real bonus is that Kerry’s Colm Cooper has no idea how good he is. He spoke to Tony Leen.

Sat, 06 Aug, 2005

Melon, Mulligan vying for Red Hand role

Ryan Melon and Owen Mulligan are vying for inclusion in the Tyrone attack for Saturday's Ulster SFC final replay against Armagh.

Tue, 19 Jul, 2005

Lansdowne Road showdown a family affair for Finegan

OWEN FINEGAN has had a busier week than most big, strong, bruising Australian backrowers.

Thu, 07 Nov, 2002