Apache Stronghold and Paul Carberry jump the last© Photo Healy Racing
In-the-wars Paul Carberry bounced back to Grade 1 action at Leopardstown today, landing the Grade 1 Flogas Novice Chase for his soon to be married employer Noel Meade, on the Patricia Hunt owned Apache Stronghold
There was little to split the leading five runners approaching the final fence but Apache Stronghold outbattled his rivals for a half length win over 5/4 favourite Valseur Lido
Carberry, who returned from fractured ribs at Naas yesterday, is one day short of his 41st birthday and while he somehow managed a flying dismount in the winners' enclosure, later mentioned that it was 25 years ago today since he rode his first point-to-point winner.
The win was made more special in light of Meade's impending marriage to his fiancee Derville Hoey on Wednesday and the nine times Champion Trainer later stated "when he (Apache Stronghold) ran at Christmas everybody was telling me he ran a great race but there was nobody more disappointed than me as I had great belief in him. I don't know whether the other horse (Don Poli) is better or he just didn't get the trip but Paul was absolutely devastated too.
"He did what we thought he could do today and it was a good race with no hiding places.
"He'll go for the 2m5f (JLT Novices Chase) at Cheltenham and will go straight there - whatever he faces there, he'll face and whatever happens, happens.
"When he got beaten by Don Poli it looked like he didn't get three miles but we might try it again in time.
"I'm delighted for Paul (Hunt) who has been a great supporter and it's great for him to win a race like this. He's not here as he's on his way back from Dubai."
Regarding his long alliance with Paul Carberry, Meade added "Paul is a fabulous guy to have on your side. He doesn't try to force it and lets the horse do the talking."
Apache Stronghold was later cut by Paddy Power to 8/1, from 14s, for the JLT Novice Chase at Cheltenham in March. Le Vent D'Antan was held in fourth when taking a fatal final fence fall.
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson
