John Lynch Carpets & Flooring Monksfield Novice Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 5m 13.40s

American Mike²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| C

2/7

Dual bumper scorer who easily landed the odds in 8-runner novice at Down Royal (22.5f) on his hurdles bow 23 days ago. Most exciting prospect who should take high rank among novice hurdlers this season. The one to beat.

Form: 1/1123-1

Dawn Rising⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| D

10/1

Useful scorer at 12f on Flat. Impressively won 16-runner novice hurdle (10/3) at Listowel (20f, good) 65 days ago. Has more to offer and in the picture.

Form: 31

Affordale Fury²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: B J Cooper| T: N Meade

4/1

Galway bumper winner who made a successful start in this sphere in 14-runner novice at same track (22f) 28 days ago. Open to progress. Shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: 1-11

Kilbarry Chloe³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Mike O'Connor| T: C O'Keeffe| OR: 129

66/1

Won her first two starts over hurdles and resumed with good fourth of 7 in listed mares event at Limerick (22.4f) 35 days ago. Should improve. No forlorn hope.

Form: 52211-4

Non-Runners

Three Card Brag¹⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: G Elliott J: A P Heskin

Forecasts

American Mike (2/7), Affordale Fury (4/1), Three Card Brag (6/1), Dawn Rising (10/1), Kilbarry Chloe (66/1)

Gordon Elliott has farmed this Grade 3 event in recent years and his leading bumper winner AMERICAN MIKE is fancied to follow up his facile debut success in this sphere at Down Royal at the start of the month before going onto better things. Stablemate Three Card Brag shouldn't be underestimated though with this step up in distance sure to bring about improvement, while Joseph O'Brien's Listowel-winner Dawn Rising can't be discounted either in a fascinating contest.