Scott reminds rivals of Rendezvous threat in Champion Hurdle

The trainer of Champion Hurdle hope Melodic Rendezvous has warned not to “underestimate” his prolific eight-year-old ahead of the Festival’s opening day highlight.

Jeremy Scott, whose star has already captured three Grade 2 prizes this season including most recently when holding off Zarkandar at Wincanton last week was speaking at his pre-Festival open day.

Understandably his priority at present is ensuring that his main charge makes the National Hunt extravaganza after missing last year’s meeting following a bad scope just days before his much anticipated tilt at the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

“We still need to get there, and a lot can happen between now and then,” the trainer’s website reported.

“Last year there was a lot of hype surrounding his festival run, and we’ve learned a lot from that experience.”

Currently 20/1 with Ladbrokes, Melodic Rendezvous is trained for the Cash For Honours Syndicate who have already had plenty to celebrate with their pride and joy.

A winner of five of his first seven starts including a nine length demolition of Oliver Sherwood’s highly touted Puffin Billy at Exeter, everything was primed for Prestbury Park last term before the bad news struck.

However, he returned in impressive style at Wincanton to beat Paul Nicholls’ Far West and despite disappointing in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle when never threatening winner My Tent Or Yours he has gone onto win his next two in good style.

As a result, and despite the odds many believe if he is able to take his chance he could conceivably upset the main protagonists Hurricane Fly and The New One, however, for now just lining-up will be enough for Scott and connections.

The Somerset handler added: “His owners have been having a terrific time and are like children before Christmas!”

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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