Fitz hoping Crozan can bounce back

Nicky Henderson’s novice chaser Crozan will bid to repair his reputation in the Grade Two totepool Reynoldstown Chase at Lingfield on Saturday.

Bought by Trevor Hemmings after showing useful form in his native France, he was scintillating on his British debut, brushing aside some useful rivals with ease.

However, the wheels fell off last time when he was a disappointing fourth behind Royal & SunAlliance Chase favourite Darkness in the Feltham Novices’ Chase at Sandown.

“He was superb when he beat Lough Derg at Cheltenham,” jockey Mick Fitzgerald told At The Races.

“He jumped beautifully and travelled superbly. We think he is a really smart horse and he was giving us all the signs that he had improved before Sandown.

“He worked this morning, he worked well and now it’s all systems go for Saturday. He is a very good horse and I know the boss thinks the world of him. I’m hoping he can bounce back on Saturday.”

Hemmings has recently had the disappointing news that promising juvenile hurdler Blue Shark is out for the season.

After bolting up in the Grade One Finesse Hurdle at Chepstow on his British debut he shot to the forefront of the betting for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

But those hopes will have to be put on the sidelines as the four-year-old recuperates before going novice chasing next season.

“It’s a blow that Blue Shark is out for the season, especially for Trevor Hemmings because he was set to run some big races,” continued Fitzgerald.

“He is a real chasing type but we would have had some fun winning a few hurdle races along the way.

“On his first start he won a Grade One at Chepstow for us and he won very well and stamped himself as a real Triumph Hurdle prospect.

“The injury is not career threatening though and we have a real nice horse to go novice chasing with next season.”