Brave springs shock on handicap debut Brave Approach proved well named as she produced a tough performance to win on her handicap debut at Dundalk. The Jarlath Fahey-trained filly had run in three maidens in the autumn, without making much impression, but the 33/1 shot improved on her return from a break. Reese Holohan drove his mount up to challenge early in the straight and she had a narrow advantage passing the furlong pole. The daughter of Dawn Approach stuck on well under pressure in the closing stages to record a three-parts-of-a-length win over even-money favourite Kc Bear. Holohan said: "She was (game and tough). First time in a handicap and she had a few okay runs in her maidens. "She was going well, so was good and strong. I thought I was going to be beaten halfway up the straight, but she stuck her neck out again and kept finding. She came right through to the line then. "Some of them wouldn't like it (lights on handicap debut), but it didn't bother her tonight. "There's plenty of improvement left in her as well. Definitely see her improving on turf the way she goes." (Quotes by Michael Graham)
