Top-class hurdler Bacchanal may have his chasing debut put on ice if Mick Fitzgerald does not win his battle for fitness, it emerged today.
The six-year-old, who won the Stayers` Hurdle at Cheltenham under Fitzgerald last March, has been entered for the new Elizabeth Hitchins Memorial Novices` Chase at Newbury on Friday.
But his regular jockey is facing a race against time to get back to race-riding next weekend as he is currently sidelined with a cracked shoulder bone.
And trainer Nicky Henderson said: 'Mick thinks he will be fit but Bacchanal definitely won`t run over fences if Mick is not back.
'The horse is very, very well and has schooled very well but I am open minded about whether to go chasing straight away.
'We also have Capitaine Leau in the race on Friday and Bacchanal is also in two races on Saturday at Newbury, a two-and-a-half-mile maiden chase and the long-distance hurdle.
'We`ll probably wait until midweek and see what`s in the racesand what the ground is like before deciding.'
Bacchanal is among a potentially high-class entry for Friday`s Grade Two event, which has been transferred from Worcester this year and carries £50,000 in added prize money.
Paul Nicholls has put in exciting prospect Shotgun Willy, who is unbeaten in five races over jumps and made a successful chasing debut at Wincanton last month.
Other promising winning chasers among a field of 10 included the Martin Pipe-trained Take Control and Nigel Twiston-Davies` Bindaree.
