Meade & Flanagan win Down Royal's opener The market for the opening Eventsec Maiden Hurdle at Down Royal was dominated by two horses, First Approach and Diamond Turf, with the Noel Meade trained First Approach eventually getting the better of his market rival to win under jockey Sean Flanagan. Little separated both horses in the morning markets and on track, with First Approach eventually returned the 9/10 favourite ahead of even money chance Diamond Turf, with Largy Beach next best at 40/1. In the race, First Approach jumped the better of the market principals and in the end made all for a 13 lengths win. Diamond Turf filled second spot, with Largy Beach passing the post 29 lengths further away in third. Following the race, winning trainer Meade said “I was kicking myself for running him in Cork in a winners' bumper - I got greedy, It was my intention when he won his bumper to bring him back here because I bought him off Donnchadh Doyle and he kept saying to me 'don't be running him in bumpers'!” He added “he jumps so well and it's nice to have him as a novice and to go for novice races over a trip. "His jumping was electric and I'd say when he ends up jumping fences that will be his real mark. "Touch wood at the minute his wind is good, he's a Robin Des Champ and a lot of them aren't. He's a very clear-winded horse and was quite impressive at the end so thrilled." Quotes from Michael Graham
