Apache Stronghold continues on comeback trail in Foxrock

The classy Apache Stronghold, a Grade 1 winner over fences in his novice season and off the track for over two years before his recent comeback at Thurles, enters handicap company for the first time in today's Foxrock Chase (3.05) at Navan.

The nine-year-old was beaten 38 lengths behind Bachasson at Thurles and trainer Noel Meade regards this 2m4f event – which hinges on Navan surviving an 8am inspection – as another step on what he hopes will be Apache Stronghold's return to top form.

Meade said on Friday: "He stumbled at the back of one of the fences in the back-straight at Thurles and ended up finishing tired which was hardly surprising in view of his long absence. We're happy with him and hoping he will have come on from Thurles and that he'll run well."

Acapella Bourgeois, who put up the best performance of his career when making all for a 32 length course win in the Grade 2 Ten Up Novice Chase over 3m in February, fell in the Troytown Chase at the same track last month and he, and Polidam, represent Willie Mullins.

Acapella Bourgeois looks to make amends for his fall last time out for Willie MullinsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Five-time chase winner Fine Rightly runs for Stuart Crawford who said: "We were very happy with his first run of the season when he finished third over two miles in the Fortria Chase over the course last month.

"He came out of the race well and the longer trip will suit – he won this race two years ago and is only 5lb higher in the ratings. He handles testing ground well, so we're hoping for a good run."

Attribution, winner of four of his nine starts over fences, carries the hopes of Henry de Bromhead and Gigginstown House Stud while the Philip Dempsey-trained Coeur Joyeux is the most recent winner in the line-up having scored over almost 2m7f at Punchestown three weeks ago, a win which saw him raised 8lb in the ratings. He races off bottom weight of 10st 1lb.

The Grade 3 Klairon Davis Novice Chase (2.00) over 2m1f has attracted only four runners including Jessica Harrington's recent Thurles winner, Jett, and the Gordon Elliott-trained Tombstone, a winner at Down Royal last month before losing out by half a length to Woodland Opera in the Grade 2 Craddockstown Chase at Punchestown.

Elliott said on Friday: "Tombstone is in good form and this looked an ideal race to run him in. We're hoping for the best."

Navan's racecard

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