‘He was having a right look’ – Monkfish shows great attitude in Albert Bartlett
Monkfish defied his inexperience and a significant error to deny Latest Exhibition in a great finish to the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, in the process giving Willie Mullins a sixth winner of the week.
The six-year-old, who ran out a 20-length winner on his previous start at Thurles, was giving owners Susannah and Rich Ricci a second success of the week after Min’s gritty Ryanair Chase success.
It was a clean-sweep of races on the day for Ireland’s champion trainer, who had fortuitously struck in the Triumph Hurdle with Burning Victory and then Saint Roi in the County Hurdle.
Winning rider Paul Townend said: “He’s a big animal and he’s only learning on the job. He got beaten the first time and when I rode him the second time it was like he’d never run. I thought we’d ride him handy enough and go a nice rhythm. He did plenty of looking around him.”
Thyme Hill, sent off the 4-1 favourite, travelled well up the straight but was repeatedly squeezed out by the first three home and finished a respectable fourth.
Of the incident, Townend said: “I think I was far enough clear of him. This lad was having a right look. There’s a lot of people standing close to the last hurdle. He’s a big baby and he was having a good look.”
Al Boum Photo seals second Cheltenham Gold Cup after beating Santini in thriller
Al Boum Photo dug in gamely to retain his Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup crown to deliver Willie Mullins a fourth winner of the day at the festival.
There were plenty with chances jumping the last and Santini provided the sternest opposition to Al Boum Photo in second. Lostintranslation produced a much-improved performance to take third.
RacingPost
