ONE FOR THE BRITS

Approach lifts the home team

THE home team avoided a whitewash on day three at Cheltenham when Missed Approach won the last race on the card, the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase.

The 8-1 shot, trained in Upper Lambourn by Warren Greatrex, led virtually throughout and had to dig deep under Noel McParlan to fend off two Irish raiders and land the spoils.

Pat Kelly’s Mall Dini, the 4-1 favourite, put in a strong challenge but Missed Approach held on determindly to score by half a length.

For once, Gordon Elliott had to settle for the placings, with Squouateur five lengths away in third.

Missed Approach was going one better than last year when he finished second in the National Hunt Chase.

McParlan, who was claiming a first Festival winner, said: “This is very special. I never thought this day would come.

“He stuck his head out and galloped all the way to the line – very simple. “All my lad does is stay and stay.” Missed Approach was having a first start since he underwent a wind operation in February.

Greatrex said: “Noel’s given him a peach of a ride.

“This year this horse has annoyed me because he’s a good horse – he just hadn’t got it together. “He stays, he jumps and he’s brave. “The owner wanted to go to Uttoxeter on Saturday for the Midlands National but I persuaded him to come here. He might go for the Scottish National now.”

By the end of the third day of the Festival Ireland have already won the Prestbury Cup over Britain, with a lead of 15 wins to six, with a day still to go.