I think it's about not over-facing horses too early in their career. Monmiral is a big old unit and pretty young to be carrying his big frame. I'm not sure an end to end gallop in tough races is something he wanted too often last season. Going to Aintree allowed him to have a much easier race than he'd have had in the Triumph.
Quilixios is another future staying chaser, who went to the Festival and won the Triumph. Having such a hard race didn't go so well at Punchestown though, and he'd been kept a fresh horse with the Festival in mind, so there were no excuses. It remains to be seen whether that leaves any kind of mark, or whether his star can shine as brightly this season.
Also we should consider that Willie habitually gives them the whole season off and brings them back as novice hurdlers rather than them have a tough season as juveniles. Most of his future chasers bought when they're juveniles don't start out until they're five at the earliest, and they don't see a fence until their 6 year old campaign. Nobody thinks that's bad or has a negative comment to make.
Saying that sending horses to the Triumph will bottom or finish horses is definitely too strong, but so many juveniles have shone brightly and quickly burnt out. So it can burn some, and in my opinion the big future chasing types are best given an easier time early on, and saved for the job they were bought to do. That's why Nicholls and Mullins take the different routes they do with horses they think have long term potential. For what it's worth I think both are happy to send smaller more forward types that perhaps aren't going to be winning big races in three or four years time to the race.
As to whether Monmiral has a second season over hurdles or is ready for chasing, there are few better than Nicholls to make the decision. For what it's worth I think he probably will, but there's every chance he won't go near the Festival again, and maybe not even Aintree for that matter, and it'll all be kept low key. I suspect he'll get a visit to Cheltenham for experience at some point in something like The Dipper maybe, but I expect the rest of his season to be running around Newbury, Chepstow, and perhaps even Exeter and Wincanton.
That doesn't mean he won't be a future Champion at the Festival. With patience he can be a top end candidate for Ryanair or even a Gold Cup as he matures. But that's unlikely as a 5 year old in the Arkle or Marsh, and as a 6 year old in the Ryanair or Gold Cup. Monmiral being so young gives Nicholls the advantage of being able to be patient and bide his time giving him experience before he has to take on the best around.
