Odds-on Monbeg grinds it out

The odds-on favourite Monbeg Notorious was made to work for his win in the opener at Down Royal, the Eventsec Maiden Hurdle.

Having won his bumper by fifteen lengths at Tipperary last month, the son of Milan was expected to follow-up today with Ruby Walsh in the saddle.

Sent off the well-supported 8/11 market leader (from an opening show of 6/4 last night, and from 4/5 on-course), the Gordon Elliott trained gelding was settled behind leaders.

He was briefly pushed along before four out, and led shortly after that flight. He was pressed after the next, as stable mate The Storyteller and Moulin A Vent came with their challenges.

The Storyteller appeared to be travelling best when he crashed out at the second last, and the Gigginstown owned winner was ridden out from there to see off Moulin A Vent by a length and a half.

The Noel Meade trained runner-up was returned at 7/2 under Sean Flanagan, while Bosco Di Alco (7/1) completed the placings a further thirty-eight lengths back in third under Brian O'Connell for Liz Doyle.

Gordon Elliott said afterwards: "He's a nice horse, he's a big three mile chaser in the making. Ruby said he was idling in front, they weren't going fast enough. He was just popping away on him.

"He'll be a nice horse for the future. Whatever he does over hurdles is a bonus.

"The Storyteller was going well (when he fell). At least we know we have a nice horse."

Ruby Walsh added: "I'd say the ground was probably good enough for him. It's good ground no quicker, but he is probably a horse that will appreciate a bit more ease.

"The ones in front were going a bit left and I didn't really get into a good rhythm on him early but that said I was never worried about settling him, he was always behind the bridle. He'll keep improving.

"I jumped left at third last and when I went to come back in Barry (on The Storyteller) shouted and I knew when I touched him he was there so I couldn't come back in any further. I'd loved to have gone back into the rail.

"I could never get far enough in front of Barry to close that door. I don't know, I think when Barry did come to me, my lad started to accelerate, but that said it's hard to know."

Monbeg Notorious won a point-to-point for Donnacha Doyle at Tralee in May of 2015, and was subsequently bought by Gordon Elliott for 155,000 pounds at Brightwells.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham