Monksland earns return to Grade 1 company

Classy nine-year-old Monksland earned a return to Grade 1 company when outpointing front-running favourite Marinero in the Ryans Cleaning Chase, middle leg of a superb treble for Noel Meade, in Galway yesterday.

Monksland, a drifter from odds-on to 6/5 in the face of sustained support for Marinero, collared David Mullins’ mount after a great battle and prevailed by a head to provide stable-jockey Sean Flanagan with the second leg of a double.

“I’m thrilled with him,” stated Meade.