Rebel Fitz and Barry Geraghty on their way to victory at Ballinrobe© Photo Healy Racing
Anyone doubting Rebel Fitz after his defeat in Killarney a fortnight ago, got an emphatic answer when he got off the mark over fences in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase at Ballinrobe.
Mirroring the Galway Hurdle in the summer though, he had a much reduced margin of victory, prevailing by just half a length after Barry Geraghty eased off completely up the run-in. Leish Oscar gave odds-on punters (Rebel Fitz returned at 8/13) a bit of a scare, running on to be nearest at the finish. Letter Of Credit was just three parts of a length adrift in third.
Mikey O'Connor's words after he'd won a Galway bumper on Rebel Fitz: "I've never seen the like of him to leap," came to mind here after the French-bred had jumped well before quickly putting his stamp on proceedings after three out.
Winning trainer Mick Winters disclosed: "He learned a good bit from Killarney and the ground wasn't as bad today. It was a handy opportunity too.
"He's run in Punchestown in the Grade 1 hurdle was only four pounds below his handicap rating so I'm not blaming the ground and he had the best of the virgin ground here today.
"He'll go for a winners race in a few weeks time now. He'll run in something in Galway – maybe the Plate.
"The only way I wasn't going to run today was if my shoe got stuck in the ground – luckily I was wearing wellingtons!
"If it was a point-to-point I'd have ran down alright (from the stands to see if he'd edged the verdict at the line)." (TW & EM)
