Madison To Monroe on the right road now

A big price tag can often hang like a millstone around a horse's neck and after underwhelming with his bumper efforts 300,000 pound buy Madison To Monroe finally got on the right road in the Tipperary Maiden Hurdle tonight.

The longer trip, the better ground and a set of obstacles saw the roan-coloured son of Presenting in a better light, and Robbie Power was looking confident from some way out on the former Colin Bowe winning point-to-pointer.

Now a five-year-old, the well-backed 7/2 favourite wasn't fluent at the last and that opened the door somewhat for Boston Spray

In truth though the Potts-owned and Jessica Harrington-trained Madison To Monroe was always in control and he passed the line a length and a half in front.

"He had been very disappointing, to put it mildly, in two bumpers, but his work at home had always been good so we were puzzled by him. He jumps so well and as soon as he went down to the first hurdle he grabbed hold of it (the bridle) and he just loves jumping and jumping is his game," stated Power.

"I don't think he needs to go over fences this season and he could tip away over hurdles and pay his way during the summer. He's a big horse and you're not going to run him on good to firm ground and that ground is perfect for him."

The Stewards fined Daniel G. Murphy, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Cousin Pascal (FR), in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Cousin Pascal (FR) in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90 (iv).

The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr L. Walsh, that B.J. Cooper, rider of Benruben had weighed in at 1.2lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that he was riding at 11st 4lbs in a heavy saddle but having weighed out early, he had consumed some water. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that B.J. Cooper was in breach of Rule 231 and cautioned him having taken his clean previous record into consideration.

A. Ring, rider of Triangle Rock trained by M.F.Morris, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was pulled up having stopped quickly.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that First Class Ticket (GB) trained by Andrew McNamara was observed post race to have blood in the nose as a result of Exercise Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage.

(TW & EM)