Monastrell at his best in Down Royal again

Monastrell winner of the bumper on the corresponding card last year, landed a gamble on a return to Down Royal in the opening A.Bartlett & Sons (Airdrie) Ltd Maiden Hurdle.

The British-bred son of Terimon was backed from as big as 6/1 this morning into 11/4 and from the get go Paul Carberry had only one thing in his mind on the Patricia Hunt-owned gelding as he set out to make all.

Many of his nineteen rivals attempted to close him down up the straight but in typical Carberry style he got good leaps from his mount when he needed them most and on the run-in he was always going to hold the staying-on Gift Of Dgab

In a recent stable tour Meade described Monastrell as very disappointing after winning his bumper but that perhaps they hadn't the big horse fit enough for his races.

Today the Tu Va handler said: "He jumped well today which was surprising as he wasn't schooling well at home in that he wouldn't settle. We said we'd let him roll and get on with it as a result.

"He looked at his hurdles today and jumped them well. We always thought he was very useful but he has been disappointing.

"He might go for a winners race but we'll definitely look at fences for him this season. He does jump well, the problem is getting him to settle.

"If he were to jump fences as well as he jumps hurdles he'd be useful."

Meanwhile Carberry reported the ground to be very soft.