Fix The Rib
Fix The Rib didn't get to adopt the front-running tactics that had served him well in his only previous start over fences in a two-mile handicap chase at Kempton on Monday, as tearaway Brave Villa was never going to be happy playing second fiddle, but Jamie Moore was happy to sit in behind on Fix The Rib and track the leader throughout until he took it up going over the last fence in the back straight. Once there, he was immediately tracked through by Barry Geraghty on the highly fashionable Pepsyrock, who was well fancied and well backed, and who traded at 1/3 in-running, but Gary Moore's gelding found plenty in front, and galloped on strongly over the three fences in the home straight to post a handsome victory.
The winner's jumping was impressive for one who was having just his second run over fences. He was good when he was long, like at the last fence in the back straight, but he was well able to go in tight and pop when he needed to, most notably at the last. The son of Dr Massini didn't manage to win last season over hurdles, but he is a different proposition over fences, his fluent and accurate jumping being well suited to the aggressive tactics that connections are adopting. Rated 109 here, he is bound to go up significantly in the ratings, but he could be progressive enough to take a 10lb or 12lb hike in his stride.
26th January, 2009
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