Sean Flanagan’s William Hill blog: Silent Approach is a massive price at Naas

Dublin Racing Festival

There were some great displays, and above all some fantastic racing, however there were a few disappointments with Marine Nationale being the first and foremost one that comes to mind.

There were some other disappointments as well in the fact that a Grade One ended up being a two horse race, and that the Irish Gold Cup only had four runners in it. You have to take into account that it is a little bit disappointing to see so few runners in a race like that.

From a spectators point of view I was blown away by Galopin Des Champs. I think he is a phenomenal horse. He jumped and travelled and did everything well.

I suppose the best ride I had over the two days would have been Path D’Oroux (Ryanair Handicap Chase). It was a bit frustrating in the sense that he probably had the ability to go and win, but he just didn’t jump well enough throughout the race.

I feel like I ended up giving away the race as I spent the first half of the race trying to get his jumping together and then I ended up letting the race get away from me as well. He has come home well, but he has probably bumped into a well-handicapped horse of Sophie Leech’s and fair play to her for making the journey across.

He is one to keep an eye on and maybe a British festival might suit him better. If he can handle the hustle and bustle then maybe a handicap at Cheltenham might suit him. I don’t know what the plan is with him, but I think he would be better suited to a UK fence. There could be a nice race in him.

Naas, Saturday

Open To Question (1.20pm)

Open To Question ran well enough at the Dublin Racing Festival off the back of a win on his only start over hurdles. His Flat form is a lot better than his hurdles form, but he could have only beaten what was there to be beaten on his first start over hurdles. He wasn’t beaten all that far last time at Leopardstown against rivals that would be more superior to him over hurdles, so I was happy with that run.

This is much more to his liking and I think he could run a nice race. He will handle the ground, although I do think he will be better on a bit nicer ground. However, he will handle this ground which is a big plus to those younger types. I’m happy with him and I think he is capable of running a nice race. His last run came off a bit of a break so I think he should be fine with the quick turn around.

Silent Approach (3.40pm)

It has worked really nicely to get on her and looking at it I think she is a massive price. She ran a fantastic race at Thurles the last day over a trip that was probably a little bit far for her, but she jumps fantastically. The last day at Thurles she was travelling well in front with three or furlongs to go having set very good fractions. Coming back in trip will suit her big time, but obviously it is a competitive race with Willie Mullins’ one (Allegorie De Vassy) in there, while Maskada is a very good mare as well.

I’m delighted to get the ride on Silent Approach as I think she is a very progressive mare that has got a big chance. When I finished riding out on Thursday and I saw I had got the ride on her I spoke to her trainer and nipped down there as with racing at Thurles off it was only half an hour down the road from Paul Nolan’s. I had a sit on her and she is a gorgeous, scopey Walk In The Park mare. She ticks a lot of boxes and she has got rock solid form. Con (O’Keeffe) is adamant that the drop back in trip will be a big help to her.

She has got a big high cruising speed and it seems like she does everything quite well.

Navan, Sunday

Benkei (3.15pm)

He has definitely not got age on his side at 14, but if you look back at his Down Royal run he was probably a bit unlucky as he drifted across the track that day and was only just beaten.

Going back up to two miles six (furlongs) here would be equivalent to three miles at Down Royal and that will definitely be a help, but he needs to get it back together.

He took quite a heavy fall at Punchestown the second to last day and on his last run he was maybe just finding his feet. He has it all to do, but we will keep our fingers crossed.