Mullins has Melon Gold Cup hopes

Patrick Mullins feels there is a good chance of Melon going for the Cheltenham Gold Cup at next year’s Festival.

The Willie Mullins-trained charge, still looking for a first win on English soil, came very close to a Festival success last month, when he was pipped on the line by Samcro in a photo finish, in the Marsh Novices’ Chase.

Mullins junior believes the eight-year-old, who has now finished second four times at the Cheltenham Festival, can go for the big prize in 2021 and doesn’t think the longer distance will cause any problems.

When asked about Melon, Ireland’s champion amateur jockey insisted: “I don’t think stepping up in trip would be any problem to Melon. He’s a big, long-striding horse who jumps and settles well so maybe the Gold Cup might be the race for him.”

Meanwhile, Mullins has also been talking up the chances of Appreciate It having a crack at next year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle or maybe the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.

The jockey added: “Appreciate It is hugely exciting. He settles great, so he will be able to step up in trip.”

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