tracked leaders, on terms from before straight, led 3 out, in control going well after, stayed on well run-in, easily
waited with 5th of the 6, pushed along in centre of track early straight, soon no extra
waited with in rear, no impression straight, went moderate 3rd and kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out
keen hold, prominent, left in lead after 4 out, joined before straight, headed 3 out, soon no extra and kept on same pace
chased leaders in 4th, left in 3rd after 4 out, 2nd and challenged from before 2 out, soon struggling to match winner, kept on same pace run-in
led, clear early, pulled up injured after 4 out
FINAL APPROACH has to concede weight all round in this but should be up to the task. He's been highly tried since winning the County Hurdle at Cheltenham last March but hasn't been disgraced and should appreciate this much easier grade. Little Green ran out behind Unaccompanied at Naas in November but an earlier second to Sailors Warn at Limerick wasn't a bad effort and Eric McNamara's mare can chase home the selection here if on her best behaviour. Another mare, Catch The Moment, is a C&D winner but looks out of her depth today though is still preferred to Arabella Boy and Major Finnegan, who may need this.
Final Approach 16-1 (11-10) Led, strongly pressed entering straight, headed after 2 out and soon no impression on winner, no extra run-in and eased close home when beaten, last of 4, 11l behind Voler La Vedette (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec.
Leave Him Alone (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Waited with 4th of the 5, dropped to last and no extra from after 2 out, last of 5, 22l behind Zaidpour (11-10) at Thurles 2m 6f hdl hvy in Nov.
Arabella Boy (IRE) 3-1fav (11-10) Towards rear, niggled along and some progress from 8th, 9th approaching 7 out, soon no impression, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Lucky Wish (11-10) at Limerick 3m chs gd in Jul, 12 ran.
Major Finnegan (IRE) 15-8 (11-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd until fell at 2nd, in a race won by Citizen Vic (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs sft in Feb '10, 6 ran.
Little Green (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Led, tended to hang right, ran out approaching 4th, in a race won by Unaccompanied (11-0) at Naas 2m 4yo lst hdl (1) in Nov, 6 ran.
Catch The Moment (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Led, headed before 5th, ridden and weakened before 3 out, completely tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Lucky Spring (11-0) at Down Royal 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Nov.
