Affordale Fury lowered the colours of Gold Cup heroes and multiple Grade One winners when taking his form to new heights with a game success in the Savills Chase on Sunday afternoon in Leopardstown.
It was a race with potential for an upset, with Galopin Des Champs having his first run of the season, Fastorslow having just his second after a long lay-off, and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin having something to prove after a lacklustre return to action.
‘It’s fabulous’ – Meade revels in Affordale Fury’s brave fightback to slay Leopardstown giants
Sam Ewing guided the 7-1 chance to a thrilling victory in the Savills Chase while Teahupoo savours some sweet revenge on Bob Olinger
‘It’s fabulous’ – Meade revels in Affordale Fury’s brave fightback to slay Leopardstown giants
ALL SMILES: Affordale Fury and Sam Ewing win for owner Philip Polly and trainer Noel Meade with groom Emma Connolly. Pic: Healy Racing
Affordale Fury lowered the colours of Gold Cup heroes and multiple Grade One winners when taking his form to new heights with a game success in the Savills Chase on Sunday afternoon in Leopardstown.
It was a race with potential for an upset, with Galopin Des Champs having his first run of the season, Fastorslow having just his second after a long lay-off, and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin having something to prove after a lacklustre return to action.
For all of that, Affordale Fury, who won a listed chase in Thurles on his most recent outing, had something to find, his best run to date having been that runner-up finish in the Albert Bartlett at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.
Sam Ewing, riding the 7-1 chance for Noel Meade, was counting on his race fitness as he set out in front rank and soon found himself dictating matters. It went well through the first half of the race but then he began to run down the fences, consistently losing ground and momentum in doing so.
That allowed the pack to close up, and when Galopin Des Champs, who has oft been spectacular on the long run from the back of the last at Leopardstown, emerged as a danger, the leader looked like a sitting duck.
Credit Ewing and Affordale Fury, however, as even though Galopin Des Champs’ old sparkle wasn’t quite there, the winner found plenty all the way up the straight to see off former Grand National winner I Am Maximus by two and a half lengths, with Galopin a game and promising third.
