Blackmore teams up with Monalee for first time in Red Mills Chase

2.30 Gowran Park
Red Mills Chase (Grade 2) | 2m4f, 5yo+ | RTV

A case of Hamlet without the prince perhaps due to the absence of Gold Cup favourite Presenting Percy but an interesting race nonetheless, with Rachael Blackmore partnering Monalee for the first time in the four-runner event.

A Grade 1 winner over 2m5f as a novice last season when he ran second to Presenting Percy in the RSA Chase, Monalee was second to Kemboy in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown in December and the eight-year-old is entered for the Gold Cup and the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

His trainer Henry de Bromhead said: "Monalee missed the Irish Gold Cup a couple of weeks ago as the ground was too quick for him. I'm not sure what this race will tell us in regard to future plans but I hope the trip on Saturday will suit him.

"He seems in good form and we need to get a run into him. Gowran Park has been a lucky track for us down through the years."

Willie Mullins is represented by Killultagh Vic, who ran third behind Presenting Percy in the Galmoy Hurdle over today's course last month.

"We're looking forward to sending him back over fences for the first time this season. The trip is short of ideal for him, but he is well treated at the weights," Mullins said of Ruby Walsh's mount.

Killultagh Vic: 'Well treated at the weights'Credit: Alain Barr

JP McManus is represented by last year's Irish Gold Cup winner Edwulf and Anibale Fly, who ran third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and fourth in the Grand National last season.

Anibale Fly has run only once this season because of the long dry spell, and his trainer Tony Martin said: "It's important to get a run into him before he heads back to Cheltenham. He ran over two miles at Cork in December and the extra half mile will suit him better. Hopefully the ground will be okay for him."

Joseph O'Brien said of Edwulf: "He's entered for the Grand National and how he gets on at Gowran might tell us what direction we'll take with him for the rest of the season. He seems in good form."

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