The four-year-old geldings maiden at Monksgrange attracted the largest entry of the weekend with 40 entered for the event.
R1 – Milestone Stables 4YO Mares Maiden
BANOGUES BONUS has somewhat of an unusual profile for a Colin Bowe runner in this age group as she comes into this race with two outings under rules over the summer to her name, including a promising second at Cork last July in a 2m4f maiden hurdle. That is certainly the pick of the form here, with Honey Im Good and Paloma Dove both having failed to complete on their respective introductions.
R2 – Tattersalls Ireland 4YO Geldings Maiden
Colin Bowe enjoyed an opening day treble at Ballingarry last weekend and his GRADY HOLLOW would certainly seem to set the benchmark for this at his local course, as this close relation of the capable Pylonthepressure chased home Holymacapony on his debut at Kirkistown back in February. Of the others, Green Vault may have the pick of the form.
R3 – Monbeg Stables 5YO Mares Maiden
VICTORIAS PEAK holds a very notable piece of form from her Borris House outing where she finished within half-a-length of Shiroccos Dream, a horse that was subsequently bought by Colin Tizzard for 260,000 pounds. Whilst she was not able to take the required step forward at Ballyarthur back in March, this would look the ideal opportunity for her to get her head in front. Stable companion Gallopongray was not disgraced in a number of outings on the track over the Summer and this former Ballingarry runner-up offers the best alternative from those with previous experience.
R4 – Baltimore Stables & Ballyboy Stables 5YO Geldings Maiden
After hitting the crossbar on consecutive outings last February, PAY THE PIPER can make amends for a below par display at Borris House most recently by gaining a deserved success. Portrush-third Dare To Begin was unable to follow that up when well beaten at Dromahane over the Christmas period and certainly cannot be discounted on his opening effort, whilst Ballydam has switched yards since he last saw competitive action at Kilfeacle back in January and his Loughrea effort 11 months ago would ensure he would have to enter the equation on his stable debut.
R5 – Ballywalter Farms 6YO Maiden (Nov Riders)
QUILL ROAD was still in contention when coming down on the final circuit at Lisronagh on his latest outing and he could manage to get his head in front following a host of placed efforts. Tinahely runner-up General Ryan has struggled somewhat of late, whilst the mare Jackie Daniels only went down by the narrowest of margins at Lingstown, and she too may not have made the frame in subsequent outings, however if she was able to recapture that opening effort, a big run can be expected.
R6 – Connollys Red Mills Winners of One
MONTY GUIRY (pictured above) will look to follow up quickly having opened his account in impressive fashion at Ballingarry last Saturday, and having proven his liking for better ground, he would look to set the benchmark here. Four-year-old maiden winner Sleepysaurus had his colours lowered at Mainstown on his first foray into this grade and is now without the age allowance on his return, whilst another of last weeks Ballingarry winners, High Stakes, could put a good showing as he seemed to win with a good deal in hand on his debut.
