Gift fine after comeback win

Iris’s Gift has taken his first chase victory well in his stride and there is an outside chance that the big grey could make a quick reappearance to the racecourse in two weeks.

The 2004 Stayers’ Hurdle winner has struggled with injury problems throughout his career, but returned at Market Rasen yesterday to score by four lengths from Sweet Diversion on his second attempt over fences.

Owner Robert Lester is entertaining the idea of running his eight-year-old at Bangor on October 8, where the Bright Future Novice Chase would be an obvious target, although he will leave any decisions to trainer Jonjo O’Neill.

“He’s grand,” said Lester. “He’s a little bit stiff, but that’s to be expected.

“I think he will have a little time off, but you can’t keep him hanging about as he will put weight on and as (Tony) McCoy said to me after the race, he is a big lazybones!

“I would love to see him run at Bangor in a couple of weeks, as it’s my local track but that’s up to Jonjo, I leave it all up to him.”

Iris’s Gift was having his first run since February and just his second in 17 months, but despite a couple of scrappy jumps, connections were delighted with his display.

“It was fantastic and it took the pressure off because he had been off a long time, said Lester.

“We knew he had never lost his ability, but he will improve a lot for the run. The second horse was giving us weight, but he was never going to get past him.”

Iris’s Gift was being ridden by McCoy for the second time, although it was the first occasion since he has been attached to O’Neill’s stable.

Lester had previously preferred to retain the services of Barry Geraghty for the horse, but McCoy is set stay on board now.

The publican owner added: “McCoy will ride him all season as long as he is injury free. I am a big fan of Barry, who is a great rider and a friend, but McCoy is able to commit to spend all season riding him. He learned a lot about him yesterday.”