Monkfish confirmed for Tramore feature Willie Mullins has confirmed that Monkfish will take his chance in the season feature at Tramore on Monday, the Grade 3 Savills New Year’s Day Chase. Successful four times at the highest level, the Stowaway bay was out through injury for almost two years, returning to action at Fairyhouse in April when finishing second over flights to stable companion Asterion Forlonge. Last of nine in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival, the Rich and Susanna Ricci owned gelding will now return to the larger obstacles. "He is on a recovery mission," Mullins commented. "Savills are very good sponsors and they sponsors in Leopardstown and this race in Tramore, which is an alternative option for horses like him who don’t want the faster ground in Leopardstown. We always have nice soft ground in Tramore. "We are looking forward to getting him out and I’d say he will love the ground. He has been sound for the last while and we'd be very happy if we could keep him that way. "Once they come back and stay sound, what can you do only keep your fingers crossed and hope that they stay that way for the rest of the season."
