18+ | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

Approach is First home in the Birdcatcher

First Approach wins from Luna Mia First Approach wins from Luna Mia
© Healy Racing Photos

Having his tenth start, First Approach (6/1) put all that experience to good use in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery at Naas. 

Always in the front rank under Jack Cleary, the Coolmore-owned No Nay Never colt was ridden to assert over a furlong out and kept on well to beat Luna Mia by a length and a quarter. 

The winner had won his maiden here before being stakes-placed at Tipperary and was last seen when beaten a little over five lengths in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

Cleary, completing doubles for himself and trainer Aidan O'Brien after Cape Cod in the opener, said: "He did it well in the end. Obviously the step back down in class really suited him and delighted to get his head in front today. 

“He seemed to enjoy it throughout with no headgear on today. He hit the line strong, and it felt like he had plenty in hand. “

"He has plenty of pace and looks a real sprinting type.” 

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
6/1
Tote €7.00 €2.60
2nd
1.25L
9/1
€3.00
3rd
0.75L
14/1
€4.60
4th
0.5L
8/1
bf
nk
5/1JFav
bf
nk
5/1JFav
About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.