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MONTY'S STAR – GRAND NATIONAL RUNNERS PROFILE: A HIGH-CLASS NOVICE CHASER WHO HASN'T FIRED THIS SEASON
Monty's Star enters the 2026 Grand National runners field as a 9-year-old gelding trained by Henry de Bromhead for Mr Barry Maloney. This well-made gelding represents an intriguing prospect: a horse with high-class novice credentials who is struggling to translate that promise into consistent elite-level performance.
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High-Class Novice Record
Monty's Star made an impressive start to his chasing career. He won his second start over fences at Punchestown in December 2023 in a novice over 23.8 furlongs, described as "confirmed the promise of his chasing debut, reversing placings with Three Card Brag but probably not having to improve past him by much."
He then finished second in two Grade 1 novice chases: second to Fact To File in the Broadway at Cheltenham in March 2024, and second to Spillane's Tower in a Grade 1 at Punchestown in April 2024. These placings – both against horses who have confirmed their class subsequently – at Grade 1 novice level established him as a genuinely high-class prospect
His record as a novice suggested a horse with significant potential, particularly given his pedigree—he is "a half-brother to Monalee," a top-class chaser, and "so should make a better chaser."
Struggle in Graded Company
However, since graduating from novice company, Monty's Star has struggled to deliver. His record in open Grade 1 chases reads as a catalogue of disappointment:
April 2025 at Punchestown (Grade 1):
Third of four, 24 lengths behind the winner. "Keeps having his limitations exposed at this level; chased leader until sixth, awkward thirteenth, struggling 4 out."
March 2025 at Cheltenham (Grade 1):
Fourth of nine, 19 lengths behind the winner. "Ran another sound race and might have done a shade better but for one serious error and being hampered by the faller."
February 2025 at Leopardstown (Grade 1):
Fifth of 10, 7.5 lengths behind the winner. "Was all the sharper for Tramore and showed improved form" but still finished fifth.
December 2025 at Leopardstown (Grade 1):
Fifth of 11, 9 lengths behind the winner. The Timeform assessment noted: "had one of the better days he's mustered at Grade 1 level outside novice company."
February 2026 at Leopardstown (Grade 1):
Sixth of 12, 25.5 lengths behind Fact To File. "Gave probably his best account yet in one of these but his attempts to win the race ultimately backfired, paying for his bid and losing positions as a result."
The Pattern of Disappointment
The pattern is unmistakable. Monty's Star has competed in five open Grade 1 chases and finished: third, fourth, fifth, fifth, sixth. He has never won a Grade 1 open chase. Most concerning, his February 2026 effort—his "best account"—still saw him finish sixth, 25.5 lengths behind the winner.
While winning Graded races isn't a clear prerequisite for Grand National success (given it is a handicap), the 2023 regulation changes have meant that some Graded form can bolster your credentials.
Distance and Staying Credentials
His performances at marathon distances have not been convincing. In the Irish Gold Cup (24.5 furlongs) in February 2026, he finished sixth. His best efforts have come at shorter distances (20-23 furlongs in novice company).
The Timeform comment on his December 2025 Grade 1 effort noted: "doing more to suggest he's well worth a try over long distances and, with that in mind, perhaps one for a Grand National campaign rather than another fruitless Gold Cup bid." However, this comment came before his subsequent sixth-place finish in the Irish Gold Cup, which undermined that suggestion.
His record does not demonstrate genuine marathon capability at the elite level.
The Handicap Reality
Most tellingly, in November 2025 when dropped into a handicap chase over 26 furlongs, he finished 14th of 24, 41 lengths behind the winner. The Timeform assessment was direct: "found defying such a lofty mark in a competitive handicap no easier a task switching back from Grade 1 company following 7 months off; ridden when out wide from 5 out, never a threat."
A finish of 14th of 24 in a handicap suggests his rating may be too high to handle the different weights in a handicap chase.
Jumping and Consistency
Monty's Star has been noted as jumping "soundly" and "accurately" in his novice efforts. However, his Grade 1 record includes references to mistakes: "bad mistake ninth, hampered fifteenth" (Cheltenham, March 2025).
Rating and Form Level
His Timeform rating of 161 places him in strong company on raw ratings. However most of his work has been done in Graded company, in other words, on level weights with his competitors. In Handicap company he has found it markedly harder to perform.
Expert Opinion
The Timeform comment on his February 2026 Irish Gold Cup sixth explicitly noted: "the Grand National remains his most persuasive spring target."
The Grand National quite possibly does make more sense for connections, as he hasn't been able to live up to expectations in Graded company so a handicap may suit him better.
Age and Development
At 9 years old, Monty's Star is relatively young. However, his trajectory suggests he is not improving. His novice form was strong, but his open company form has been consistently disappointing.
Verdict
Monty's Star represents a moderate prospect among the 2026 Grand National runners. While his novice chasing credentials were impressive, his record in open Grade 1 company has been a catalogue of disappointment.
Most concerning is the pattern of failure: five Grade 1 entries producing finishes of 3rd, 4th, 5th, 5th, and 6th. He has not won a single race chase outside novice company. His February 2026 sixth-place finish in the Irish Gold Cup (his "best account"), combined with his 14th-place finish in a handicap, suggests his form is not reliable.
For those seeking a Grand National runner with proven staying power, consistent elite-level form, and demonstrated capability to compete at Aintree distances, Monty's Star offers little encouragement. He is a horse whose novice promise has not translated into open company success. His since his novice campaign is one of dissapointment, not consistent improvement.
Among the Grand National runners in the field, he ranks among the weaker candidates—a horse whose potential remains unfulfilled and whose recent form suggests it may never be realized.
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