Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- Home
- News
Gary Carson
Monkfish proves too strong for novice rivals
Monkfish and Paul Townend
© Photo Healy Racing
The Willie Mullins-trained Monkfish was left to come home an easy winner of the W.T. O'Grady Memorial EBF Novice Hurdle at Thurles.
The 5/4 favourite had moved up stylishly to join the driven-along Run Wild Fred when that rival crashed out at the second last flight. His exit left Paul Townend's mount clear of his remaining rivals.
He was driven further clear before the last and after a fine leap there he cruised home to post a facile 20-length success over Alpine Cobra in the two-mile-six contest.
The Rich Ricci-owned winner was following up on a cosy maiden hurdle success at Fairyhouse last month. Monkfish who is now two from four on the track having cost £235,000 after winning his point-to-point.
Townend said afterwards:- "He is going the right way. He is a big chasing type and is improving with all his runs.
"He is a stayer and was never going to be anything else.
"I thought I had the other horse covered when he fell and was pleasantly surprised when I looked behind me at the last."
Mullins later added:- "I was a good performance by Monkfish. More than likely he'll run in the Albert Bartlett but he'll be entered in the Ballymore also. That was a good trial for the Albert Bartlett if that is the direction we go."
(Quotes by Tom Weekes)