Henry de Bromhead is ready to let Monalee renew rivalry with Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Presenting Percy in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park.
The eight-year-old finished eight lengths behind Pat Kelly's stable star when runner-up in the RSA Insurance Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last March. So far this season Monalee has finished third in a Grade Two at Down Royal and second in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.
He was due to return to the latter venue for the Irish Gold Cup earlier this month, but was declared a non-runner on account of the drying ground.
De Bromhead said: "Monalee will probably run in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran on Saturday. I didn't run him the other day because of the ground. He seems in good form and I think he needs a run."
The Knockeen-based trainer also provided an update on Balko Des Flos.
The Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding was a brilliant winner of the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last season and will not run again before defending his crown at Prestbury Park next month.
He will return to the Cotswolds with something to prove after finishing down the field in the aforementioned Savills Chase in December.
"I'd say Balko Des Flos will go straight to Cheltenham. That worked for him before," De Bromhead added.
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