Adamant Approach can prove yet again he is in rare form for a 13-year-old and pull off a hugely popular success at Fairyhouse today. Willie Mullins's veteran teams up with Ruby Walsh, who guided Adamant Approach to his biggest career victory all of five years ago in the Pierse Hurdle, in this afternoon's three-mile conditions race.
Last month, it was the trainer's 17-year-old son, Patrick, who was in the plate in the Pertemps at Cheltenham when for more than a few moments it looked possible that Adamant Approach would pull off an unlikely festival victory.
Ultimately he didn't get the clearest of runs but another placed effort at Cheltenham was a fine effort for a popular old pro on who exaggerated waiting tactics appear to be best. There's no one better than Walsh at that and better ground won't be a problem to the horse either.
What could be a problem is the appearance of the runaway 2005 Coral Cup winner Sky's The Limit, but he is coming back from an unhappy term over fences so Adamant Approach could be the safer option.
Walsh also looks the man to work his magic on board Powerstation in the Listed hurdle. Michael Philips' runner was finishing best of all when runner-up to Burntoakboy in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham, his third successive second placing.
This better surface will be no problem to Powerstation and although the ratings point to Essex, Walsh's mount will also be fancied.
The form of The Roney Man's defeat of Royal County Star at Navan last month got a significant boost yesterday when Tony Martin's horse bolted in a Beginners Chase.
The Roney Man takes the novice handicap route today and with Paul Nolan's horses continuing to return to form, he should be hard to beat despite a big weight.
Tiger Cry's last run over the smaller obstacles came at this meeting last year when runner-up to Publican. He goes for the two mile conditions race today and although Arthur Moore's horses has had just the one run this season, he does get a valuable 8lb from Ruby Walsh's mount Heavenly Blues.
Tony McCoy's mount in the handicap hurdle, On The Other Hand, has winning form on quick going from last summer and may be worth a look in his first start for seven months.
