Intense Approach wins a thrilling finish to final race of Harvest Festival

The 'big two' in the bumper that rounded out the Harvest Festival in Listowel set down for a scrap in the final furlong and it was Intense Approach who just found that bit extra.

The market had the Mullins' representative I Will Be Baie as 11/10 favourite with John McConnell's Intense Approach at 11/8.

Intense Approach received 9lb from I Will Be Baie and it may have told on the yielding to soft ground. He was nothing if not game, though, in just edging it close home by a short-head.

Jockey Alex Harvey said: "He's a horse that stays very well and we didn't go too quick early on.

"I was always trying to push Harry Swan (on Marlpark on and I got a breather into him good and early and I was left in front four and a-half/five furlongs out. I just wanted to build into it and not turn into a sprint.

"Once the horse (I Will Be Baie) came to me he went on again, he's a very tough horse - a really likeable attitude and probably conditions didn't really suit him 100 per cent today so his class brought him through.

"He came with a price tag, obviously he was quite an expensive purchase but he has shown every right sign and is a horse that is only going to improve in time.

"I'm just really thankful to John and everyone for supporting me."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee