Meade has Gold-en ambitions for Affordale Fury

Affordale Fury will tread a path to the Cheltenham Gold Cup after his memorable success in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.

The Noel Meade-trained eight-year-old has always shown plenty of ability, and this season has stepped out in good form when second in the Champion Chases at both Gowran and Down Royal before winning a Listed contest at Thurles.

He lined up at Leopardstown a 7-1 shot under Sam Ewing, who was deputising for usual pilot Donagh Meyler, and the duo served it up to some big names, including Galopin Des Champs and Inothewayurthinkin, when prevailing by two and a half lengths.

The Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival and then the blue riband at the Festival in March beckon, with the still lightly-raced Affordale Fury faring well following his exertions over the Christmas period.

Meade said: “He’s come out of the race very well and the plan, more or less, is that he will go to the Irish Gold Cup and then, if we’re happy with him, on to the Gold Cup. That’s the way the plan is looking at the moment.

“He was very good and in fairness we were expecting a big run, he was in terrific shape and we were very happy with him.

“He did exactly what we hoped he’d do. He jumped a little to the right and I suppose if he didn’t do that he’d had won a lot easier, but he was very good and finished it out well.

“He’s come out of the race well and he’s going to have an easy fortnight and then we’ll start to build up for the next race.”