The Valley of win at Ballinrobe

MONUMENT VALLEY should open his account, stepping-up in trip, in the Irish Stallion Farms Maiden when racing returns to Ballinrobe for the first time in 2020.

Stepping-up in trip, this Galileo colt – trained by Aidan O’brien, with an official mark of 90 – has shown enough in recent starts to suggest he should be capable of getting off the mark.

Seventh in the hot Leopardstown maiden won by stable-companion and subsequent Irish Derby runner-up Tiger Moth in Leopardstown, he was then no match for another Ballydoyle inmate Serpentine, which went on to land the Irish Derby, in a Curragh maiden.

Last time, he was sent off 8/11 for a maiden in Cork and went down fighting, beaten a neck by Taramansour.

Today’s trip of almost a mile and five furlongs should play to his strengths.

Drawn low, Wayne

Lordan can dictate the pace and land the spoils.

Earlier, Red Line Alexander – a close third behind Aunt Bee and subsequent winner

Thunder Kiss on her Irish debut at the Curragh – sets the standard in the Irish Stallion Farms Fillies Maiden, although Paddy Twomey’s charge won’t be helped by a high draw.

John Murphy’s Sharp Focus, successful in Killarney last week, might defy a mandatory penalty and top-weight in the David Heneghan Memorial Handicap.

In Gowran Park, Joseph O’brien might double-up with recent Roscommon winner Isotope and Meticulous in the opening maiden hurdles.

Jessica Harrington’s Tipperary scorer

Barrington Court could have the edge in a tightlooking conditions hurdle.

And Gordon Elliott has a chance in both bumpers, with penalised Tipperary winner Mr Jackman and Jimmy Jimmy.

LOW DRAW Wayne Lordan can exploit chance today