Apache on course but Monksland delayed Noel Meade today reported Apache Stronghold on course for the Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse. The Milan gelding made an impressive debut over fences at Down Royal at the end of last month and will now bid for Grade One glory on November 30th. "Apache Stronghold worked well this morning and all going well he'll go for the Drinmore,” said Meade after landing the bumper at the Meath track this afternoon. He also had news on some other leading lights from his yard with a slight delay in the comeback of classy staying hurdler Monksland. The Beneficial gelding hasn't been seen in action since beating Zaidpour in the 2012 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown and Meade reported:- "Monksland has been held up a bit with kissing spines, and might not be ready for the Hattons Grace. “If not we'll wait for Leopardstown at Christmas. He's never had a leg but has just been held up with little things." The Royal Bond is the plan with progressive novice Rich Coast while Meade looks set to saddle four in the Troytown Chase at Navan on Sunday. "Rich Coast missed the For Auction with a bit of heat in one of his joints. The plan now is to go for the Royal Bond with him. "It looks like all four will run in the Troytown on Sunday. Pandorama will love the ground but whether he's good enough now is another thing. "I'm not so sure about the ground but Benemeade, Bose Ikard and Thomond will also run. Thomond is in great form at the moment." (Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
