No stopping Final Approach
Ruby Walsh nudged him into the lead over the third last and this fine money-spinner cruised home on the bridle two lengths clear of Little Green.
Said Mullins: “Handicaps are out for him and it will be hard to find a similar race. I’m hoping he will develop into a Graded horse as the season progresses.”
Mullins and Walsh completed a double when Simenon outclassed his rivals in the McCarthy insurance Group 60th Maiden Hurdle.
He travelled sweetly in behind Moyaliff, until Walsh asked him to lead heading to the third last.
After that it was a procession, as Simenon crossed the line with his head in his chest and 23 lengths in front of Party Rocker.
“That’s a big improvement on the last day (fifth at Fairyhouse),” said Mullins. “We will keep him to the minimum trip, he has loads of gears and will now go for a novice hurdle.” Stan James introduced Simenon at 33-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Mullins made it three for the day when newcomer Perfect Gentleman proved an easy winner of the Bumper.
Patrick Mullins had the ride and was in no hurry, but this was over once he powered Perfect Gentleman ahead with just under two furlongs to travel.
“Patrick said he was very green,” reported Mullins senior. “He has a lovely pedigree and I would expect a good bit of improvement.”
The other maiden hurdle sponsored by the McCarthy Group went to Ballyburke, trained by Philip Rothwell for JP McManus.
The seven-year-old was making a belated seasonal debut having “got very sick last season,” according to Rothwell.
He ran below par at Navan in February and Rothwell decided to leave him off. Said Rothwell: “Mr McManus was hugely supportive.
“The horse came to me in August, but wasn’t one hundred per cent and so I asked Frank Berry (McManus’s racing manager) if I could wait six weeks before putting him back into work. Again I got great support.”
David Casey eased Ballyburke to the front over three out and only had to keep him up to his work to easily beat Kildare Blowin.
Rothwell intends wasting no time launching his charge over fences and he now goes for a beginners chase at Navan.
Belle Brook won a quite remarkable McCarthy Insurance Group 60th Mares Beginners Chase, after being backed from 8-1 to 5-1.
She set off in front for Davy Russell and was all of five lengths clear rising to the final fence. But Belle Brook made the most horrendous of mistakes and looked certain to slither to the turf.
Somehow, however, she found a leg, remained upright, but came to a complete standstill. Martin Ferris now grabbed the chance to drive the favourite, Special Token, into contention.
By now Russell had Belle Brook back on an even keel and, amazingly, she rallied, but was a head adrift at the line.
The head-on, though, showed Special Token edging to her right, clearly hampering the second and reversing the placings was almost inevitable.
Russell immediately completed a double aboard in-form John Joe Walsh’s Jack Absolute in the McCarthy Insurance Group 60th Handicap Chase.
A whole wall of horses had prospects early in the straight, but in the end Russell produced the grey with a powerful late surge to beat Tinakellylad by a head.
Commented Walsh: “Davy gave him some ride. I couldn’t fancy the horse here, he never wins except at Limerick.”
Ocean Bright, partnered by Conor Maxwell for Dermot McLoughlin, was a comfortable winner of the McCarthy Insurance Group 60th Mares Handicap Hurdle.
Confidently handled by Maxwell, he has now had his claim reduced to 3lbs, the mare made every yard of the running and was in total control over the last three flights.
By The Hour went off the well-backed favourite and was tracking the leaders when slipping up at the bend taking them into the back straight.
