Monksland aims to prove class act Monksland takes a drop in class in a bid to get back to winning ways when lining up in the Free Festival Upgrade Ticket Offer Hurdle at Punchestown on Saturday. Noel Meade's classy stayer found the going a bit tough in a hot renewal of the Hatton's Grace when reverting to timber at Fairyhouse earlier in the month but looks to face an easier task now. The Beneficial gelding is a former winner of the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown, when it was a Grade Two affair, but has been campaigned mainly over fences of late. He has produced some top efforts over the larger obstacles but has been let down by his jumping on occasion. Sloppy jumps at the last two saw him weaken out of contention in the Hatton's Grace but his hurdling may not be put under as much pressure in this two-and-a-half-mile conditions event. The all-conquering Willie Mullins is represented by Sure Reef, who has to defy a long absence from the track. He looked a nice prospect as a novice hurdler but has not seen the racecourse since taking a Grade Two contest at Leopardstown in January 2014. Fitness should not be an issue for the Oscar gelding, but he still has to prove himself up to this level. Supasundae was far from disgraced on his return to action at Leopardstown earlier in the week in a competitive handicap. He is entitled to be a big player but has to give weight away to his rivals under the conditions of the race. The opening beginners chase looks a competitive event and Edwulf seeks a deserved victory in the three-mile one-furlong contest. Joseph O'Brien's charge was set to chase home Our Duke before falling on his most recent outing at Navan. That form was boosted significantly, with the winner scoring in Grade One company at Leopardstown. O'Brien also saddles Arkwrisht for Gigginstown House Stud, and Bryan Cooper takes the mount. He is entitled to improve from his chase debut at Fairyhouse recently and could be a threat to his stablemate. Another who should step forward from his first start over fences is Childrens List and given the form of the Mullins yard, he has to be a danger to all. Later on the card, Duke Cass bids for a hat-trick when lining up in the two-and-half-mile handicap. Karl Thornton's charge won in good style at Limerick on Tuesday and bids to defy a 6lb penalty for that cosy success.
