Onefitzall

Onefitzall did well to win the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle at Newbury last Saturday.

They did not go a great gallop through the early stages of the race, which would not have been ideal for Philip Hobbs’ horse, primarily because he stays this trip well. Settled just behind the leaders early on, he got a little out-paced and came under pressure when the pace lifted after the fourth last flight. He responded well to pressure, however, and he hit the front at the second last flight. Even then, he looked vulnerable as Gibralfaro laid down his challenge. Onefitzall responded willingly, however, and he battled all the way to the line, staying on strongly to get home by a length from Alan King’s horse, with Disputed just over a length back in third.

This looked like an interesting handicap hurdle beforehand, with favourite Born Survivor well backed, so there was a lot to like about the manner in which the first three home came away from the favourite. There was also a lot to like about the willing attitude that Onefitzall displayed under the Johnson drive to stay on as well as he did.

The Indian Danehill gelding is only six and this was just his fifth run over hurdles. As such, he has lots of scope for progression. He has never been beyond two and a half miles before, but his trainer says that he will get further, so there could be considerable improvement to come for a tougher stamina test, a step up in trip to three miles or easier ground or a combination of both. The handicapper raised him just 4lb to a mark of 137, and that is a mark that should be well within his range, especially if he steps up in trip now.

Newbury, 26^th November 2016