THE influence of Montjeu (Sadler’s Wells) as a sire of sires in National Hunt circles is well-known, and at Galway it was one of his daughters who was to the fore. A winner in France at three, Shamarbelle (Montjeu) is dam of three winners, and her star is the Grade 3 Galway Hurdle winner Nurburgring.

He too was a winner on the flat at three, over 13 furlongs, but has found his forte over hurdles, his three wins under National Hunt rules also including the Grade 3 Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse. The Joseph O’Brien-trained four-year-old gelding carries the colours of Bronsan Racing, and was bred in partnership by Annemarie O’Brien.