Fighting Fit and Luke Dempsey (right) win from Kalkas (centre) as Bythesametoken and Conor Orr (near) fall © Photo Healy Racing
Fighting Fit recorded back-to-back wins when claiming the rated novice chase at Leopardstown for father and son team Philip and Luke Dempsey.
The JP McManus-owed gelding had opened his account over fences at Naas in early January and was on the mark again in today's two-mile-one contest.
He was produced to challenge going to the last and the 13/8 favourite got on top on the run-in to record a length-and-a-quarter win over Kalkas
“We're delighted with that. He jumped well, he nodded at one or two but in general he was good,” said Dempsey.
“I was a little bit afraid the ground was going to dry out but he seemed to handle it well enough.
“He got the split and it opened up nicely for him. I don't know how strong a gallop they went as they all seemed to be there but he was good over the last.
“We'll see how he is after that and Frank (Berry) and JP will make a plan for him.”
