Winters may delay Rebel Fitz’s return until Punchestown

Rebel Fitz might not be seen in competitive action until the Punchestown Festival in the spring as he continues to recover from a recent setback.

Having struck at Grade One level for the first time in the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse in April, the nine-year-old made a winning return in a Flat race at Listowel in September before landing the Istabraq Hurdle at Tipperary.

Trainer Mick Winters had been eyeing either the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase or the Hilly Way Chase at Cork as a potential next target, but plans were put on hold after he was found to have fluid on a joint.