THE promising Monkfish announced himself a nice type for staying novice hurdles in the New Year as he dominated the closing stages of the Irish Racing Yearbook Maiden Hurdle to look one of the better prospects on show at this low-key pre-Christmas fixture.

After beginning his career with runner-up finishes behind two very smart types in Longhouse Poet and Diol Ker, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding looks to have found his true calling as he tackled a trip over just short of three miles. The 1/2 favourite eased to the front for Paul Townend early in the straight and moved clear at his leisure to defeat Time To Get Up by 11 lengths.