Melon was already near the top of ante-post lists for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle before making his eagerly awaited jumping debut in the Donohue Marquees Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown, and the Willie Mullins-trained gelding certainly didn’t disappoint as he scored in impressive fashion.

The half-brother to an Italian Oaks winner tracked the strong pace set by Broken Soul and swept up that rivals inner to lead off the home turn.

The 4/9 favourite was about three lengths clear when giving Ruby Walsh his only anxious moment by diving at the final flight but galloped on strongly to score by ten lengths.

Very few of the 13 runners got involved, and Prince Charmin’ was a further 12 lengths adrift in third.

Bookmaker reaction was to make Melon general favourite for the Supreme Novices’ with Ladbrokes going 4/1 (from 10/1), 9/2 with Boylesports, Paddy Power cut him to 5/1 and Betfair Sportsbook a top-priced 11/2.

Mullins said, “He just went a bit long at the last and genuflected a little bit. He’d been showing me he’s a good horse for a long while. He did a nice gallop in the autumn and I was afraid to do any more with him. We just waited and waited until he came right, and he’s right now at the right time.

“He lacks a bit of experience for his next run but we’ll have to try and give him that at home. It will possibly be in the first race (at Cheltenham) in March. We have plenty of experience into him, and I thought for a horse having his first run he jumped very well except for the last.

“He’s improving all the time as he gets fitter and stronger. I thought he looked very well today. Broken Soul made sure there was no hiding place for any horse, and even at that good gallop Ruby looked under pressure to hold him. Once he’s upped in grade they will be going a step faster, and he will be easier ridden at that stage.”

Festival contender? Melon wins pretty nicely on his Irish debut at @LeopardstownRC for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh: pic.twitter.com/Ul0DadrEBf

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 29, 2017