Aldo The Apache

Aldo The Apache was impressive in winning the Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle at Naas on Saturday. Settled in second place behind clear leader Minx Tiara, he travelled well in the leader’s slipstream as they raced to the home turn with the field well stretched out behind. He came under a ride as they rounded the home turn, and he moved up to join the leader at the second last flight. The front two were still together at the last, but Aldo The Apache was strong up the run-in. He powered up the hill to come eight and a half lengths clear of his rivals, as Minx Tiara faded into fourth place.

It was a strong performance by Colm Murphy’s horse. He chased the clear leader, and he was still able to finish off his race strongly, clocking a good time in the process. The handicapper raised him by 11lb to a mark of 130, but he continues to progress, he has now won three of his last four races, and the runner-up in the race that he won at Punchestown in October, Whatsnotoknow, ran well in a Pertemps qualifier at Punchestown on Sunday. Aldo The Apache is only five and he has run just seven times in his life, so there could be more to come from him. There could be another good handicap hurdle in him off his new mark of 130. The Coral Cup over the intermediate distance would be a legitimate longish-term aim.
Naas, 6^th November 2021