NOT many National Hunt horses who make just three appearances in the space of 1,003 days have a cult following but Monkfish is no ordinary horse and returned to an excellent reception after plundering the Grade 2 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle - his first win over hurdles since the 2020 Albert Bartlett.

Willie Mullins and Susannah Ricci’s imposing stayer has struggled to deliver the soundness to match his talents in recent seasons, as evidenced by some lengthy absences in recent seasons.