Grade Three Monksfield Novice Hurdle Guide 2022

This 5 year old son of Galileo was bred to be fairly useful on the flat hence why he was trained by Aidan O’Brien before switching stables to Joseph Patrick O’Brien.

He was only victorious on the flat once in four starts, but looks to potentially be a decent recruit now going hurdling. He won at Listowel over 2m4f on good ground last time out beating the Henry De Bromhead trained The Short Go by 8 ½ lengths.

This was an impressive win for just his second start over the smaller obstacles, but he needs to show more here again in what is a Grade 3 race.

Cannot be totally dismissed, but may find a couple too good.

Trainer Gordon Elliot won this race last year with Hollow Games and he looks to have a great chance of doing the same again with a very exciting horse in American Mike.

He had four runs in bumper races before making his hurdling debut 23 days ago where he won in commanding style.

He showed a lot of ability in bumpers winning two, but had the tough ask of facing last year’s Festival Bumper winner in Facile Vega twice at Cheltenham and then Punchestown.

That horse was going to be hard to beat as he is now favourite for next year’s Supreme so American Mike clearly has the potential to go and achieve much more in his career.

Steps down in trip from his winning debut over hurdles last time out and will get conditions that will suit him right down to the ground.

The best horse in the race and looks to be the one they will all have to beat here. The worthy favourite.

The only mare in the race and she may struggle against the boys here in what looks a competitive little contest for this year’s renewal of the Grade Three Monksfield Novice Hurdle.

She made it 2-2 over hurdles when winning a Grade 3 event at Limerick back in March, but the form looks weak meaning she will have to put in a career best to win this which seems unlikely.

Has only ever won on heavy ground and it looks likely to just be soft so she may have to adapt on ground she is not best on.

Would be a surprise winner.

Gordon Elliot’s second runner in this and one who will have to be at his best to trouble stablemate and favourite for this American Mike.

Three Card Brag won fairly well when many maybe thought he did not stand that much of a chance as his price that day was 10/1.

He beat an odds on Willie Mullins favourite so he is cleary a decent horse in his own right. After a 179 day break, he won on debut over hurdles beating the favourite that day Sandor Clegane by 6 ½ lengths at Galway over the shorter trip of 2 miles.

On his latest outing, he was pitched into Grade 3 company and finished a close third in what was a decent looking contest so based on that evidence the experience he has had so early on in his career may count for a lot in this.

If ground conditions become heavier he has to be in the mix and may be the one to challenge his stablemate when fighting it out in the finish.

This 4 year old could not have got off to a better start in his career so far winning on debut at Galway in a bumper and then progressing nicely to win a maiden hurdle at the same course.

Jockey B J Cooper will be looking to make it 3-3 for this horse and if he shows more ability here he could well do so.

Has won on soft and heavy ground in his two runs so far and the step down in trip to 2m4f will more than likely suit too.

Straight into Grade 3 company for what will only be his third career start, therefore connections must think highly of this lad.

A major player and may be able to be a threat to rivals especially the current favourite