O'Brien's Approach First in Naas maiden A promising second on his racecourse debut, the Aidan O'Brien trained First Approach went one place better when winning the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Naas. Only getting the hang of things late, when runner-up at Dundalk last month, the No Nay Never colt knew exactly what was required of him here. Quickly into stride, the 5/2 chance tracked the leaders over the first couple of furlongs, before drawing closer over two out. Ridden to head stablemate Kansas 150 yards from the finish, the Wayne Lordan partnered winner kept on well to beat the staying on favourite Amiata by one-and-a-quarter lengths. The latter colt, who was very well supported pre-race, made a really nice debut as he was slowly away and had to make up ground on his rivals in the first furlong. “We’re delighted. He came forward from Dundalk,” said O’Brien. “Wayne said he was green enough still for a horse that had a run but he won grand. “He could be an Ascot horse, we might give him another run somewhere if we can get one into him. “He said five or six is not a problem, he said he’s not short of speed. “When he got into him he found plenty. “Billy was happy with his horse as well.” Paddy Power went 10/1 First Approach for the Norfolk Stakes and 16/1 Coventry Stakes. Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
