Rebel Fitz storms home

Rebel Fitz trounced his rivals in Listowel’s Slan Abhaile qualified riders’ race in imperious fashion under Mikey O’Connor.

Mick Winters’ stable star had been off track since winning the Grade One Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse in April.

He didn’t appear in any way rusty as he travelled in fourth before showing more prominently with two furlongs to go. It was at this part of the race that Marchese Marconi took the lead from Call Me Pj

It was a short-lived reign though as Rebel Fitz powerfully moved through under O’Connor who could afford a look round. A furlong and a half out and the popular nine-year-old thundered clear impressively. He was returned the 10/3 joint favourite.

The other 10/3 joint favourite Alton Bay came through well for second, but had no chance with the winner. He was on a five-timer coming here, but had to settle for second some five lengths down. Ted Veale was nicely backed at the track from 11/2 to 4/1. He took third without threatening. He was beaten nine lengths by Rebel Fitz.

“He had only been swimming and on a treadmill for six weeks. There was genuinely only someone on his back for the last three weeks,” Mick Winters said.

“Mikey O’Connor had a lot of faith in him, but I was very nervous. He’s a horse that runs on adrenaline and he’s a natural athlete.

“We had been taking him away every day last week to the beach and we’ve obviously been taking him to work in John Supple’s. He was away five hours every day and we put a lot of work into him.

“He’ll go to Tipperary next if he’s 100 per cent. It’s the race Captain Cee Bee beat him in last year.

“Tomorrow morning is going to be a big thing with him. We’ll look at Galway after that.

“I was thinking of the King George, but Barry Geraghty says the two mile race at Leopardstown.

“I thought he was only peaking this year. It’s great for the public that he’s back. He has a great following.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson