Fighting Fit

Fighting Fit ran out an impressive winner of the two-mile handicap chase at Naas on Sunday. Strong in the pre-race market, Philip Dempsey’s horse jumped well through his race for Luke Dempsey, and he moved up nicely on the near side on the run to the second last fence. All eight remaining runners were almost in a line across the track on the run to that obstacle, but it quickly became apparent that Fighting Fit was travelling best of all. He joined Gevrey in front on landing over the second last, moved easily on to the final fence, jumped that just in front and he quickened away impressively up the run-in to run out an impressive winner.

The handicapper raised JP McManus’ horse by 8lb for this win to a mark of 119, but that mark is just 3lb higher than his hurdles mark, and he has the potential to go higher still. He appeared to win with at least a little in hand here, and he is only seven and has raced just five times over fences. There is stamina in his pedigree, and he has been tried over two and a half miles before, but he showed plenty of pace here, to quicken off a sedate pace, and this two-mile trip looks like a good trip for him, at least for now. And he could do even better in a more strongly-run race over the minimum trip.
Naas, 2^nd January 2022