Apache on course for Drinmore Exciting novice chaser Apache Stronghold is on course for a top-level assignment in the Bar One Racing Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse. Having shown smart form in bumpers and over hurdles, the Noel Meade-trained six-year-old looked the part in a beginners chase at Down Royal last month, jumping beautifully in the hands of Paul Carberry. The two-and-a-half-mile Grade One contest on November 30 will be his next port of call. Meade said: "He's in good form and he'll run in the Drinmore." Meade has another to look forward to in the novice division this season in the shape of Very Wood. Winner of the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, the five-year-old struck at the first time of asking over the bigger obstacles at Galway. He is set to head to Punchestown next weekend. Meade said: "I f we're happy enough with him, he'll go to Punchestown. The further the better with him, back to two and a half miles is as short as he'd want to go. "He jumped well at Galway and when Bryan (Cooper) gave him a slap he picked up, as he can be lazy. He wants every bit of three miles."
