MONARCH TO REIGN

MONARCH might be capable of defying the handicapper in the Fast Shipping Bellewstown Handicap Hurdle in Bellewstown this evening.

The Joseph O’brien-trained Galileo gelding was having his second run after a break when scoring convincingly at Down Royal last time, when narrowly in front and travelling strongly as nearest rival Suitor took a fatal fall at the final flight.

Monarch went on to beat Beau Et Sublime smoothly, for which the handicapper put him up 8lb, which makes his task today a good bit tougher.

But he had run well when sixth to Ancient Sands at Listowel previously, his first run since last year’s Galway Festival, and looks progressive. And he might have the edge here over Dermot Mcloughlin’s mare DIXIE LEE, another Down Royal winner when last seen, and locally-trained YAHA FIZZ, now back with Alan Delany after a spell in Gordon Elliott’s.

The Willie Mullins-trained, 139-rated VOIX DU REVE, successful at Killarney in May, is best-treated by the conditions in the opening Phil Kierans Memorial Hurdle and should be tough to beat.

And the Elliott and Mullins names will be linked in the bumper when Patrick Mullins partners the consistent, if limited, GLOBAL JACKPOT for the Cullentra handler.

Global Jackpot has performed consistently since winning his ‘point’ in Mainstown, finishing placed in three bumpers, all Downpatrick. And a reproduction of his recent second to the Willie Mullins-trained

Stay Humble might suffice. NAAS EXTRA

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON Joseph O’brien is following in his father Aidan’s footsteps and has prospects in Bellewstown this evening