Morning Approach (noseband) © Photo Healy Racing
The Racing With Pride Handicap went to Morning Approach (5/1) in the hands of Nathan Crosse.
It was a deserved second career success for the four-year-old after some fine efforts in defeat this season, notably her second to subsequent winner Chicago Bear on Guineas weekend at the Curragh.
Here, she was waited with in mid-division and the gaps opened up nicely for Crosse in the straight. He drove her into the lead inside the final furlong and she beat Apple Of His Eye by half a length with San Aer a further three parts of a length away in third.
Winning trainer Willie McCreery said: “I'm delighted for the lads. I played football with Richie (Dunne), I carried him for a long time on the pitch!"
“Eddie (McGarry) played football for Carlow and Annie (O'Rourke), the other part owner, is leading her up.
“She worked for John McLoughlin years ago and works in Naas hospital. She rides her when she's off.
“She's a good old mare, she won first time out as two-year-old and then last year she ran well in handicaps.
“She's just stronger this year and she's held her own every time this year.
“I'm delighted for the lads to come to a nice track, she ran a cracker on Guineas weekend at the Curragh and has run equally as well today.
“We'll keep her in that grade over a mile or a mile-and-one. She needs a good galloping track as she's a big filly.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
