Final Approach far from disgraced behind Voler La Vedette on his seasonal reappearance in the Grade 1 Hattons Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse last month, relished the drop in class at Cork this afternoon when easily landing odds of 30/100 in the McCarthy Insurance Group 60th Hurdle.
The Willie Mullins-trained gelding cruised to the front three out, and Ruby Walsh hardly had to move a muscle as last season's County Hurdle winner powered home in the driving rain. Little Green (12/1) tried to throw down a challenge two out but the hot-pot was in total control coming home a facile two and three quarter lengths ahead of that rival. Arabella Boy finished third. Catch The Moment set the pace until pulled up quickly injured after the fourth last.
Mullins said, “It will be hard to find another race as easy as this. He will go for a Graded race next, probably the Tara Hurdle at Navan.”
