Apercu beats Cloud Seeker in Curragh thriller The Andy Oliver trained Apercu recorded a second course and distance success when battling on resolutely to win the Tulfarris Hotel And Golf Resort Handicap (Premier Handicap) at the Curragh. A winner at Cork last month, the mare had run respectably when stepped up into Listed company on her most recent outing at Gowran Park. Prominent from the outset, the 9/1 chased Cloud Seeker in the early stages of this race. Moving up to take over in front entering the home straight, the Billy Lee ridden five-year-old faced a whole host of challenges from two-furlongs out. To her credit, she repsonded to her rider, finding plenty for pressure inside the final furlong. Cloud Seeker rallied on the inside rail to get upsides well inside the last 50 yards but Apercu pulled out that bit extra to win by a short head. “She’s a tough mare, she’s improving and Billy knows her well. He gave her a great ride,” said Oliver. “She seems to go everywhere he wants her. She got it handy up front and he said himself that he probably got there a bit earlier than he thought. “She was enjoying herself and was going sweetly. She battles and when the horse came back at her she just kept finding. “She was tough out, she’s a great filly to watch because she wears her heart on his sleeve.” When asked if she would try for black-type now he added:- “She’ll go up for that and that would be the plan. “Mares, when they do stay in training and start improving you never know. What’s good about her is that she just does enough. She’s a great doer at home and brings it all to the racecourse. “Barry Irwin, CEO of Team Valor, has been a great supporter of mine over the years. We have a few together as well at the moment. It’s an exciting venture. “This filly has done nothing but improve. She’s been very easy to train and has given everybody a lot of fun.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
