Melodic Rendezvous

Melodic Rendezvous did well to win the two-mile novices’ hurdle that ended proceedings last Friday at Cheltenham. Settled at the back in the field in a race that was not run at that strong a pace, Jeremy Scott’s horse made his ground nicely to get in behind the leaders on the run to the final flight, and he picked up well on the run-in despite racing towards the centre of the track, on probably the worst of the ground, to beat two well-regarded sorts in Royal Boy and Eduard, who both raced closer to the stands rail than the winner.

Royal Boy ran a really nice race to finish second on his racecourse debut. Winner of a point-to-point on his only run between the flags, Nicky Henderson’s horse was a little short of room on the stands side on the run to the last before staying on really well on the run-in, and he is interesting. However, Melodic Rendezvous is just a little more interesting for me, especially on soft ground. He made his ground easily into a quickening pace, and he picked up impressively on the run to the last.

Second to Champagne Fever in the Punchestown Bumper last April, this was just his second run over hurdles, and he can progress again now. This race was won last year by Darlan, and has been won in the past by Tidal Bay, Noland, General Miller, Karabak, Calgary Bay and Rhinestone Cowboy, it is usually a high-class race. Melodic Rendezvous hails from a relatively small yard, and he may just be under-rated for another little while.

14th December 2012