Fitz happy with Fondmort progress

Mick Fitzgerald believes Fondmort has a live chance of winning the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Nicky Henderson’s 10-year-old put up an encouraging performance at Lingfield on Saturday when he finished eight lengths in arrears of Our Vic in the Grade One Ascot totesport Chase.

Fitzgerald is now hoping the gelding, who is also entered in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the John Smith’s Grand National, can do himself justice at Prestbury Park next month.

“I was absolutely delighted with him – he never lets you down,” Fitzgerald told At The Races.

“I had some good rides yesterday and some were disappointing but the one thing I knew was Fondmort wouldn’t let me down and would run with great credit. That (the Ryanair Chase) is the obvious plan.

“He was narrowly beaten in the race last year by Thisthatandtother and you’d be fairly confident he could go one better because he loves Cheltenham.”