Apache Outlaw guns down Curragh sprint rivals late on

The Ado McGuinness trained Apache Outlaw won for the first time over the minimum trip when staying on strongly to claim the Fleetwood Paints Handicap at the Curragh.

Successful at 7f and 6f (twice) the four-year-old had no issues with this sharper test as he broke well from stalls, holding a prominent pitch just off the leaders.

Pushed along to dispute over a furlong out, Adam Caffrey led on Apache Outlaw with 150 yards to race, keeping on well to well to hold the closing Thunderbear by half-a-length.

“It was a solid run last time. It was a bit of a lesser race when you take the winner out from last week,” said Caffrey.

“We were off a nice weight today and he loves that ground, a little bit of an ease in it — lovely beautiful ground.

“He travelled into it really well, probably a lot better than any of his five and six furlong runs. He was on form today and he's won well.

“I was trying to hold on to him for as long as I could. He ran around a bit when he got to the front, when he gets there on his own, but he's done it well in the end.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson.