2.10: GRADE ONE — 3 MILES

FOuR of the last nine winners of this event ran in the Flogas Chase won by Monalee at Leopardstown last month and given that runners from the previous year’s Albert Bartlett Novices’ hurdle have won the RSA five times from 20 attempts, henry De Bromhead’s seven-year-old makes plenty of appeal.

Monalee jumped and raced with great enthusiasm at Leopardstown, showing no ill-effects of his fall at that venue over the festive period, and he displayed a terrific will to win to fight off a host of challengers. the only slight reservation is his stamina over the trip on really deep ground.

DOUNIKOS, fourth to Monalee that day, looks one rival likely to appreciate a war of attrition as he was doing all his best work at the death and appears to be crying out for a test of stamina. he has been re-routed from yesterday’s Nh Chase, which suggests connections feel he has a touch of class too.

Presenting Percy posted a terrific effort behind Gold Cup aspirant Our Duke in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran. Outspeeded after the last, he wasn’t knocked about and is trained by Pat Kelly, a master of preparing a horse for the big day.