With the late defection of the Willie Mullins trained Ivana John McConnell's Intense Approach was left with an easier task as he routed the remaining opposition in the closing Bar One Racing Guaranteed Overnight Prices INH Flat Race at Bellewstown.

A point-to-point winner for Warren Ewing in February, the McConnell trained gelding went close on his racecourse debut at Ballinrobe in May, losing out by just a head.

Well fancied to go one better tonight, the race took on an altogether different complexion once the main danger was taken out of the contest.

Always front rank under Alex Harvey, Intense Approach headed leader Cedar Wood over half-a-mile out, before extending clear on the bridle inside the final two furlongs.

John McConnell said: "He's a good horse, he did (come with a good price tag) and was very highly recommended by Warren Ewing.

"Anything he is doing now is only a bonus - when he matures and goes jumping, he should be another nice one.

"They are so young, it is very hard to know what to do with them. Do you keep them for another good bumper in the spring or do you go hurdling in September/October time? I'm not sure what we will do with him. We kept Encanto Bruno and Kinbara all this time for bumpers and it hasn't worked out too bad. We will talk to Derek and Caroline (Ahearn, owners) who are both over from America. I'm delighted for them, they put the money into the game so they deserve these days.

"He wants slower ground - Warren says soft ground, soft ground. That's a big bonus."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham.