Melodic calls the tune at Haydock to bounce back into Champion Hurdle picture

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Melodic Rendezvous proved his run in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle was all wrong when bouncing back to form in no uncertain terms in the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock.

Jeremy Scott's stable star, who was a Grade One-winning novice last season, was found to have torn a muscle after finishing fifth in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and he returned to his best by capturing the scalp of the smart Ptit Zig.

Melodic Rendezvous jumps to the front at the final flight of hurdles under Nick Schofield.

Melodic Rendezvous jumps to the front at the final flight of hurdles under Nick Schofield.

Act Of Kalanisi took them along until unshipping Tony McCoy at the fourth-last, leaving Ptit Zig in front.

Daryl Jacob was never totally happy on the even-money favourite and was collared at the final flight by Melodic Rendezvous (7-4), who pulled four and a half lengths clear on the run-in.

Scholfield said: "He felt a better horse today than he did at Newcastle, so it's happy days.

All smiles: Melodic Rendezvous and Nick Schofield are welcomed back by a delighted supporter.

All smiles: Melodic Rendezvous and Nick Schofield are welcomed back by a delighted supporter.

'Jeremy was confident today so I'm glad it came off.

'If it came up soft (in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham) I'll be a happy man.

Scott said: 'We really needed that. We've had a very anxious six weeks and it's lovely he's back to somewhere where we thought we should be.

'We found after Newcastle he had a torn muscle in his quarters after the race.

'It took time and patience and physio and he's back to wear he should be now.

A delighted Jeremy Scott has his stable star back on track

A delighted Jeremy Scott has his stable star back on track

'We actually thought he wanted quite good ground, but he's proved he loves soft ground and it's an edge he has over a lot of other horses who perhaps don't cope with it quite as well.

'The Champion Hurdle looks very competitive. Whether we are good enough to trouble the leading contenders I don't know, but it's an option.

'The plan originally was to have another run in the middle of February but we'll see how he comes out of this and play it day by day.'



 

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