LEE-DING HOPE
Star steps up Cheltenham preparations
MONALEE bids to open his account for the campaign ahead of a likely return to Cheltenham in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park this afternoon.
Henry de Bromhead’s charge has filled the runner-up spot on each of his two previous appearances at Prestbury Park, chasing home Penhill in the 2017 Albert Bartlett before finishing seven lengths behind the impressive Presenting Percy in last season’s RSA Chase.
A rematch with Presenting Percy looked to be on the cards in this weekend’s Grade Two feature at the Kilkenny track, but with the Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite not declared Monalee looks the one to beat following two fine efforts in defeat so far this term.
De Bromhead said ahead of the two-and-a-half-mile affair: ‘We need to get a run into Monalee and the Red Mills Chase looks like a good opportunity to do that.
‘I’m not sure what the race will tell us in regards to future plans, but I hope the trip on Saturday should be ideal for him.’
Monalee was last seen finishing second behind the impressive Kemboy in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown in December and is entered in the Ryanair Chase, as well as the Gold Cup, at the Festival next month.
‘We didn’t run him at Leopardstown (in the Irish Gold Cup) because of the ground, but thankfully we’ve had a bit more rain down the country and the ground at Gowran should be fine,’ De Bromhead added.
‘Monalee seems in good form and he needs a run. Any option after this weekend was just getting a little close to Cheltenham so we look forward to getting him back out. ‘Gowran Park has been a lucky track for us down through the years.’ Locally-based Willie Mullins has claimed this prize twice in the last four years with Champagne Fever (2015) and Ballycasey (2017). This season the champion trainer relies on Killultagh Vic, who switches back to fences after finishing a close-up third behind Presenting Percy in the Galmoy Hurdle. ‘We have run him twice over hurdles this season and he had a very good run in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park last month,’ said Mullins.
‘We have decided to let him take his chance back over fences as he is suited by the conditions of the race, but it is going to be a tough contest for him at this trip — which is short of his best distance.
‘But it is our local track and it is nice ground so we we’ll see how he jumps back over fences and see where we go then.’
The other two runners both carry the colours of JP McManus, last year’s Irish Gold Cup hero Edwulf and the Tony Martintrained Anibale Fly.
Farclas and Coeur Sublime give Gordon Elliott a strong hand in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle.
The Gigginstown House Studowned Farclas has struggled against his elders since claiming Cheltenham Festival glory in last season’s Triumph Hurdle, most recently finishing down the field behind esteemed stablemate Apple’s Jade in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown a fortnight ago.
He must concede weight to each of his six rivals in this Grade Three event, but Elliott is hoping his charge — who is fitted with blinkers for the first time — can make the most of having his sights lowered.
‘Farclas has been disappointing this season, but we’ll see what happens,’ he said.
‘It’s never easy for those good juveniles when they have to take on their elders, and Farclas has had to take on Apple’s Jade in two of his three races this season, but this looks a potentially nice opportunity for him.’
Coeur Sublime would have gone close to winning a Grade Two prize at Leopardstown over Christmas but for falling at the final flight. He receives a handy age allowance this weekend as Elliott aims to get his season back on track before a possible tilt at the Triumph Hurdle at Prestbury Park next month.
Elliott added: ‘We’re anxious to get a run into Coeur Sublime before Cheltenham, and there aren’t too many options left for him, which is why we’ve put him in here.
‘Touch wood, he’s fine after his fall and has jumped well at home. You never really know until you get them back on the track again, but I’ve been happy with him over the last few weeks.’