Melon strikes gold in Cork after drop to Grade 3

Melon made the most of having his sights lowered when notching his second success of the season in the Baroneracing.com Chase at Cork.

Runner-up at the Cheltenham Festival on four occasions, the Willie Mullins-trained 10-year-old bagged a long overdue victory in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park in February – his first in over two years and only his second over fences.

He failed to land a telling blow on his return to the Cotswolds for last month's Ryanair Chase – but dropping back down in class, Melon was the evens favourite to claim Grade Three honours.

Sent straight to the lead by Bryan Cooper, the chestnut jumped well in the main and had several of his rivals in trouble from the home turn.

With last year’s Grand National hero Minella Times weakening out of contention, Doctor Duffy came through to fill the runner-up spot, finishing eight lengths behind the decisive winner.

Cooper said: "It is great for the horse and great to get a winner in these colours. He got into a rhythm and really enjoyed it and this track seemed to suit him as there is a lot of jumping. He jumped fantastic and I was able to boss the race.

"He accelerated, I was always confident and it was a great bit of placing by Willie. These races take winning and he has won two races this year off his rating and it is now easy to place him.

"I enjoyed it to be honest and it is great to win on him."

Bois De Clamart sluiced to victory in the €45,000 Baroneracing.com Easter Handicap Hurdle.

An emphatic winner over fences at Gowran Park on his last start, Liz Doyle’s charge was switched back to the smaller obstacles in a bid to make the most of his 13lb lower mark over hurdles.

Given a confident ride by Richie Deegan, Bois De Clamart did just that as he powered clear of