Plenty of life left in Fitz
Mick Fitzgerald, who nearly retired last year, made sure no-one thinks he is finished just yet with a double at Kempton.
The popular Irishman remains in the saddle partly because he believes there is so much to look forward to at the Nicky Henderson yard and his old ally provided one of the winners with Tinagoodnight.
The 2-1 favourite, already successful on the Flat in France, pulled away for an impressive four-length win in the Harriet Phipps 21st Birthday Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle.
“You just have to be a bit careful with her as she comes in and out of season very quickly,” said Henderson.
“She was still green but I think she will be up to stepping up a grade soon, although she may need more practice first.”
Fitzgerald’s other win on Alph was probably less expected and the 25-1 shot was Roger Teal’s first jumping runner in the WBX.COM Hurdle.
The 10-year-old is far from a natural jumper but travelled beautifully and got the better of 6-5 favourite Liberate in a prolonged battle.
“The owner rang up and asked if I’d like to train Alph, so I said I’d give it a bash,” explained the Epsom trainer.
“He did a bit of work with a couple of old sprinters the other day so I knew he would be fit enough.
“He could go back over fences, he just needs a bit of confidence.”
The WBX.COM Handicap Chase seemed certain to be going the way of Lennon but he got in far too close to the last and handed it to Hoo La Baloo, who finally got a first handicap victory by determinedly edging out Bleu Superbe.
“I think he must be my most versatile horse – he won the military race at Sandown over three miles and now he’s back to two,” said winning trainer Paul Nicholls.
“He just needs a right-handed track.”
Evan Williams’ Deep Purple (6-4) made it a four-timer in the Listed WBX.COM Novices’ Hurdle.
He ended up having quite a set-to with 5-4 favourite French Opera, who joined him along the back straight and it was not until before the last that Deep Purple asserted.
“He’s passed the test with flying colours, and this had been the race in mind for a while,” explained Williams.
“The jockey was always happy and he’s come away readily in the end. We won’t get too excited yet – we’ll just chip away.”
Nigel Twiston-Davies added yet another to his brilliant run with Mahogany Blaze (9-4) in the WBX.COM Beginners’ Chase.
There was a heart-in-mouth moment at the eighth but he made amends with a smashing leap at the next, sidling alongside Muhtenbar on the home bend and going away.
There was another exciting finish in the three-mile WBX Handicap Chase, which eventually went to 20-1 shot Oniz Tiptoes and 7lb claimer Richard Tierney, making the long journey from John Wainwright’s Malton stable worthwhile.
