Approach on Festival trail
The winner tried to make all of the running, but looked in trouble when getting in tight to the third last.
Walsh had to get particularly serious, as Follow The Plan challenged and, apparently, travelling the better.
But Apt Approach found plenty for some stern handling, was on terms jumping the final fence and then forged away on the flat to win cosily in the end.
“I’m very encouraged by that, he’s improving all of the time”, said trainer, Willie Mullins.
“I think he will have to take up one of his entries at Cheltenham and could go to Gowran Park for the Red Mills Chase before that.”
Stan James shortened Apt Approach to 33-1 for the Ryanair, from 50’s, and left him at 50-1 for the Gold Cup. It was a first success in the Kinloch Brae for both Walsh and Mullins.
Conor O’Dwyer’s Folsom Blue showed that a test of stamina is just what the doctored ordered when easily taking the INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Novice Hurdle.
Davy Russell pushed him ahead well before the second last and he kept going powerfully to easily beat Star Neuville.
Said O’Dwyer: “I’m delighted with him, he loves soft ground. He’s a bit on the small side, unfortunately, and may come back here for the Michael Purcell Hurdle.”
Tony Martin’s Benefficient proved a most uneasy favourite, dropped away early on the final circuit and was pulled up before the third from home.
Russell completed a double when guiding Knockfierna to land the Grade 3 Coolmore National Hunt Sires EBF Mares Novice Chase.
This was a decent effort on the part of Charles Byrnes’ charge, considering she was conceding weight all round.
Belle Brook made a brave attempt from the front, but Knockfierna edged ahead heading to the final fence and was soon nicely in control.
Commented Byrnes: “There’s a race for her at Limerick on March 18 and she will wait for that.
“She’s a revelation, her form speaks for itself.”
Bishopsfurze, representing the Mullins-Walsh team, looked an unlucky loser of the W T O’Grady Memorial EBF Novice Chase.
He made a lot of the running and still held the call heading to the penultimate obstacle.
Eventual winner Quietly Fancied was trying to close, but looking held, when Bishopsfurze, who had jumped impeccably to this point, clipped the top of the fence and paid the price.
“I’m happy with that”, reported Quietly Fancied’s trainer, Oliver McKiernan.
“He mightn’t have won, but wasn’t giving up.
“He’s had his problems, but is going in the right direction and we will now look for a winners’ of one somewhere.”
Argocat, carrying the Cape Blanco colours of Mrs Fitri Hay and trained by Tom Taaffe, took the www.thurlesraces.ie Maiden Hurdle.
Ridden by Brian Hayes, he found plenty up the straight and was always carrying too many guns for Lamb Or Cod.
Reported Taaffe: “That warms a cold day. Anything this horse does over hurdles will be a bonus, he’s a smasher, loves jumping and stays well.
“He wouldn’t have the class for the Triumph hurdle (Cheltenham), but will get an entry in the Fred Winter.”
When Dermot Weld’s Merchant Royal eased into the lead for Robbie McNamara between the final two fences, in the Arctic Tack Stud Hunters Chase, it seemed as if he would not come off the bridle.
But Katie Walsh threw the kitchen sink at Viking Splash and Merchant Royal was all out close home to hold on by a neck.
Merchant Royal is owned by Kris Weld and he represented his father. Said Weld junior: “That was very pleasing, I was concerned about the ground and the fact he had to carry top weight.
“He is progressive and will now run in the Raymond Smith Memorial at Leopardstown on Hennessy day.”
On March 13, 2010 Prince Of Forwards scored at Limerick. It was the last winner Pat Hughes trained until the same horse popped up at 25-1 in yesterday’s Leugh Handicap Hurdle.
A big price he may have been, but Prince Of Forwards hardly broke sweat here, cruising home for Alan Crowe with plenty in hand over Beckett Rock
