Mister Fisher

Mister Fisher ran a really good race to finish fourth behind Samcro in the March Novices’ Chase. Settled just behind the leaders and along the inside early on, he got in tight to one or two of his fences, and he got shuffled back in the field a little. He was tight for room too at the top of the hill, with the result that he was third last of the main group jumping the fourth last fence. He travelled well down the hill for Nico de Boinville though and, although only seventh as they raced to the home turn, he still travelled well. It was always going to be difficult to get to the leaders though, top class horses Samcro and Melon and Faugheen but, while he couldn’t match them for pace at the second last fence, and a mistake at the last didn’t help, he kept on well up the run-in to get to within four lengths of the winner.

This was just Mister Fisher’s fourth run over fences. He won his last two races in the lead up to Cheltenham, over two and a half miles and two miles respectively and, while trainer Nicky Henderson said that he did have the option of going for the Arkle, this two-and-a-half-mile trip seems to suit him well. He is only six, and he could progress to be a Ryanair Chase horse for next season.

Cheltenham 12^th March, 2020