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LET IT RAIN

Dublin Racing Festival: Henry de Bromhead latest trainer to suffer from lack of rain as he pleads caution with Monalee and Balko Des Flos

Monalee could line up in the Unibet Irish Gold Cup on Sunday if the rain arrives in time

Balko Des Flos took the Ryanair last year at Cheltenham Festival

HENRY De Bromhead is the latest big-name trainer to lament the lack of rain.

Stable stars Monalee and Balko Des Flos are set to line up in this weekend's Dublin Racing Festival but the Irish trainer has urged caution.

 Balko Des Flos took the Ryanair last year at Cheltenham Festival
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Balko Des Flos took the Ryanair last year at Cheltenham FestivalCredit: PA:Press Association

The County Waterford trainer has warned punters Monalee needs rain to run in the Unibet Irish Gold Cup on Sunday and the same applies to a number of his team.

Monalee was second to Kemboy in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, when De Bromhead felt the ground was too quick for his eight-year-old.

He said: "Monalee is in good form, but would not run if we have the same ground that we had at Leopardstown at Christmas. I'm looking forward to running him."

De Bromhead could saddle last season's Ryanair winner Balko Des Flos in the same race - but he is another who requires rain.

He continued: "Balko Des Flos was really sore after Christmas, and he'd want to have an ease in it before we'd run him."

De Bromhead has a genuine Arkle hope in Paloma Blue, who looks to have leading claims in the Irish equivalent - the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase.

He said: "Paloma Blue is in good form after his win at Leopardstown, and the plan is to run him as well, while Petit Mouchoir (Irish Champion Hurdle) is also going there."

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