Missed Approach prevents Irish whitewash much to delight of Derby owners

It might have felt like little more than netting a consolation goal in injury-time when 6-0 down to most, but to the Derby-based father and son duo of Alan and Andrew Turner it felt like scoring a screamer in a Champions League final.

Somehow, Missed Approach managed to withstand the Irish invasion of Mall Dini and Squouateur to land the nightcap Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup on day three.

Tessa Greatrex, wife of winning trainer Warren, was the one who brought the Turners and Missed Approach together, so it is no wonder they were all smiles while sipping on bubbly in the winners' hospitality room next to the parade ring afterwards.

Alan Turner said: "I actually thought he was always going to hold on. All he does is stay and I thought he looked very comfortable the whole way.

"He got into such a lovely rhythm. He was really enjoying himself. He was second last year in the National Hunt Chase so it's terrific he was able to go one better."

Missed Approach: his trainer always believed he would be a much better chaser than hurdlerCredit: Edward Whitaker

The celebrations were set to be deferred just a little, however, as the pair had to make the two-hour drive home to Derby. It would have felt like two minutes.

"Tessa was the one who found the horse for us," said Andrew Turner with a smile that will last until summer.

"He won first time out at Uttoxeter, our local track, and that was really special. There's no feeling like winning your first ever race as an owner. That's magic, but this is higher-profile obviously. We'll enjoy it. We'll have to go down to our local tonight."

Winning jockey Noel McParlan, from County Down, picked up a nine-day ban and £400 fine for his overuse of the whip, but that wouldn't have spoiled his first festival success too much.

"It was some buzz, brilliant," said McParlan. "I took one glance and I saw Patrick [Mullins, on Mall Dini] travelling well and decided I'd send him on early. All he does is stay. I knew I wouldn't do Patrick for toe so kicked on. He kept picking up."

Trainer Greatrex was enjoying his second festival win following the similar all-the-way success of Cole Harden in the 2015 Stayers' Hurdle.

"That was fantastic, I'm thrilled," he said. "I always describe this week as a week of disappointment to my owners as you come here with what you think are really nice horses and then they get beaten."

This one didn't get beaten, though, Warren. You did what no other British trainer could manage on Thursday.

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