He Fitz In (nearest) and Atacanter jump the last together© Photo Healy Racing
Davy Fitzgerald now has the Ulster National in mind for He Fitz In after he just got the better of Atacanter in the Student Raceday 11th April 2024 At Limerick Races Handicap Chase
Second on three of his four previous starts, the Morozov eight-year-old was recently fourth over flights when returning from a break.
Sent off a 4/1 chance (from 11/2) this afternoon, the Cathal McDaid-owned victor raced mainly in third under Danny Mullins (his sole ride of the day), improving into a share of the lead on the approach to the penultimate fence.
Soon ridden, he gained a narrow advantage on the run-in and kept on best in the closing stages to prevail by three-quarters of a length.
Returned at 16/1, Atacanter lost little in defeat was a further 15-lengths clear of last year's winner Made In The Woods (8/1) in third.
The hat-trick seeking Folly Master (1/1f) was struggling in fourth when crashing out two fences from the finish.
"He was unlucky last year in Sligo (when a final fence faller) and deserved to win again. He is probably still well handicapped and we'll see what he gets," Fitzgerald commented.
"I always wanted to run over further and the Ulster National (over 3m4f) is in two weeks so if he scrapes into that, that's where he'll go. I was worried about the ground but he is a dour stayer."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Raceday Stewards interviewed R.P. Geoghegan, rider of Made In The Woods, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who accepted that he was in breach of the whip regulation and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards found R.P. Geoghegan, in breach of R.10.3 (g) (frequency) and having considered his record (second offence under Regulation 10), they suspended him for four racedays.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
