Silky smooth Monalee looks a classy recruit to chasing ranks

Some of the novice chasers seen so far this campaign, particularly in the staying division, have made the mouth water as to what could come later in the season, and we might not have seen a more taking debut than Monalee in the 2m4f Racing Post-sponsored beginners chase.

Last season's Albert Bartlett runner-up has always been viewed as a potential chase prospect, and in a strongly-contested race the son of Milan put in a superb round of jumping. He was long and quick when meeting a fence on the right stride and clever when he threatened to get in a bit tighter. It was enough to put the broadest of smiles on the faces of rider Davy Russell and trainer Henry de Bromhead.

De Bromhead said: "That was a dream start, he was just deadly. We bought him after he won his point-to-point so we haven't had to do much with him in terms of his jumping, he's always been very good.