Monkfish back in the winners' enclosure

The Willie Mullins-trained Monkfish bounced back to winning ways when staying on stoutly to run out a convincing winner of the Grade 2 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park.

The dual Cheltenham winner has had his issues in recent years but showed there is still plenty in the tank with a commanding performance in the three-miler today.

The big Stowaway gelding was held up in the four-runner race by Paul Townend before taking closer order two from home.

All four runners were soon in a line across the track but it was Monkfish who grabbed the lead running down to the final flight.

The 13/8 shot really opened up on the run-in as he powered away to record a five-and-a-half length win over long-time leader Summerville Boy

Patrick Mullins said afterwards:- "he hasn't missed any training and we just hadn't got him out so we were happy his fitness would hold up.

“We thought he was a Gold Cup horse once upon a time but that is a great start to his season and hopefully can build on it now.

"We were supposed to start him at Tramore on New Year's Day but he got a little bang so we decided to wait for this.

“He is in the Gold Cup and Stayers Hurdle but all options are open and it will be a case of what race suits, when he is ready. 

"We won't rush him back and Cheltenham is only seven weeks away so he'll probably go straight there. The decision regarding which race he runs in will be a Willie special.

"Ruth Dudfield does a fantastic job in keeping him sound and we'll just hope he is ok in the morning. Touch wood, at his age, he will stand up to it."

The winner was cut into 16/1 (from 66/1) for the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham by both Paddy Power and Betfair.

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)