Portage to take Meld test Mick Halford's Royal Ascot hero Portage will step up in class for Thursday's Icon Meld Stakes at Leopardstown. The Godolphin-owned four-year-old was a clear-cut winner of the ultra-competitive Royal Hunt Cup and will now line up over nine furlongs in the Group Three event, having already triumphed over a mile and a quarter on his seasonal reappearance. "Portage has been fine since Ascot and he'll run in the Meld Stakes on Thursday," said Halford. "He's earned a step up in class."
