No value in Melon says Walsh

Ruby Walsh believes Melon is short enough at the head of the betting for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Walsh's boss Willie Mullins has a whole host of possibles for the race but a couple, such as Senewalk and Cilaos Emery, have already lost lofty positions in the market .

Melon had something to prove before making a winning debut at Leopardstown but Walsh thinks quotes of around 3-1 look pretty short about his possible mount.

"Melon was very good in a maiden hurdle last weekend, but that's all he's done and he's 3-1 favourite for the Supreme and I'd say that's fairly tight," Walsh told Racing UK.

"I know I've ridden a few of them but only in maidens so you're not going to ride them to see what they can do. You want to bring them along slowly, you only do as much as you can do to win the race.

"Melon won on the bridle, but the form was pretty average - the second horse had only won a Tramore bumper.

"The time was a good bit slower than Petit Mouchoir later in the day but you'd be expecting that, a Grade One horse over a novice, but he took some pulling up which was a good sign.

"It's probably tight enough on time to run him again before the Festival, there are very few options.

"You can't find out how good they are at home, you have to find out on the racecourse and hope what you think is under the bonnet is there."