Hollow Games and Ginto give Elliott strong hand in Grade 3 Monksfield Hurdle

John Lynch Carpets & Flooring Monksfield Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) | 2m4f | 4yo+ | RTV

Gordon Elliott first won this Grade 3 ten years ago with Mount Benbulben and has taken it five times since, including the past two runnings.

Samcro, Death Duty and Free Expression feature on Elliott's roll of honour and it will be a shock, not a surprise, if he does not add to his fine record in the race with Hollow Games or Ginto.

Both horses are owned by Noel and Valerie Moran's Bective Stud and only time will tell whether they are allowed to go head to head so early in the season.

Hollow Games doesn't do anything fancy but keeps on winning. A point-to-point winner who went from strength to strength in bumpers last season, he made a flawless start to his hurdles career when winning over 2m6½f at Down Royal last month.

Ginto was arguably more impressive in getting off the mark first time up at Navan over 2m4f two weeks ago. He picked up well from the last to the line, shaping like a smart stayer.

In time, both Hollow Games and Ginto will want softer ground, but the mare Lunar Display won't mind the quicker going here.

Joseph O'Brien's five-year-old appears best placed to give Elliott's pair something to think about, but ultimately Hollow Games and Ginto should have too much class.

If the big two do take each other on, Hollow Games may be the one to side with. While some may point out he didn't beat a lot at Down Royal, he only ever does enough and it's hard to predict how big the petrol tank is.

What they say

John Ryan, trainer of Ferdia and The Little Yank
It's not ideal giving weight away but Ferdia and The Little Yank are absolutely flying and we haven't seen the best of them yet. Ferdia ran well and was probably unlucky not to be second in the For Auction Novice Hurdle and The Little Yank is as solid as they come.

Mick Mulvany, trainer of Barnacullia
I was hoping the race would have a smaller turnout but I think he'll appreciate the step up in trip. The only worry I’d have is the ground; it might be a little bit quick. He’s in good form and came out of Wexford very well.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Ginto and Hollow Games
We'll see which way the ground is in the morning. Depending on the ground, we might not run the two of them, but the plan is to run them, all being well. Both horses are in very good form. Hollow Games was very good at Down Royal and I loved the way Ginto won his maiden hurdle at Navan. They're two lovely staying novices for the season.

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