Gaul's plan working a treat with Melody After going down narrowly at Roscommon earlier this month, Artistic Melody deservedly got her head in front in the Croom House Stud Handicap. In-foal to Awtaad, the Ger Lyons trained four-year-old was sent off an easy to back 4/1 chance in the colours of owner Vincent Gaul. Settled behind the leaders by Colin Keane, the daughter of Zoffany came with her challenge on the outer under two furlongs from home. She was ridden and hit the front at the furlong pole, keeping on well from there to score by a length and three parts. Avalanche (12/1), who won this race twelve months ago, kept on well to take second, while Storm Ranger (14/1) was another half a length back in third. Markhan was sent off the 9/4 favourite, and he finished a disappointing seventh. Shane Lyons said afterwards: "She is a grand filly and is in-foal to Awtaad so is probably his first winner! "She is after really sweetening up since and has got until the middle of August to run so we're going to have fun with her until then. We'll keep mixing between seven and a mile. "It was Vincent's (Gaul) idea to put her in-foal instead of stopping with her last year and I'm delighted for Vincent because the plan is working out. "His son David is getting married today so we ran her to have some cheer at the wedding and hopefully they're having a great day and it's a nice present for him." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
