Fugitif in action at Cheltenham
Fugitif in action at Cheltenham

Trainer Richard Hobson certain further glory will not elude Fugitif


Richard Hobson remains confident last year’s December Gold Cup hero Fugitif is capable of picking up another big prize, especially after receiving a bit of help from the handicapper.

The Gloucestershire handler has not yet fully committed the nine-year-old to defending his title at Cheltenham on Saturday week, but reports him in good health following a Paddy Power Gold Cup fifth behind old rival Il Ridoto on his seasonal reappearance.

Fugitif was fourth in the same race last season before going on to strike gold a month later off a mark of 151. He was raised 6lb for that success, but is now back down to 150.

Hobson said: “We’re not sure yet whether to go there or wait for January 1, but we’ll confirm on Monday and go from there, I guess.

“He just got left a little bit at the start again, so he had to make up all that ground and a bit like most of ours, he might have just needed the run.

“Trying to get a horse of his size and stature ready first time out is quite a hard task, especially as it was a very competitive, big Saturday afternoon race.

“He was a bit more ready last year for the Paddy Power, but cheekpieces lit him up and that’s why he was probably only fourth. I know he was actually beaten less this year, but he overraced last year.

“But the run is going to bring him on massively and he’s got a couple of pounds back in hand and he won’t meet Il Ridoto on the same mark anymore.

“We’ve just been completely up against it against him constantly because we’ve been giving stacks of weight away every time, but now he’s been put up seven and we’ve been dropped two, so we’re starting to meet him on more of a level playing field.

“He’s a big old unit and there’ll be another big race in him soon hopefully, whether that’s defending his title a week on Saturday or further down the line.”

Hobson was also happy to get Some Scope back on track with a fourth-placed finish in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle after he was pulled up at Cheltenham in October.

The six-year-old landed a Catterick and Doncaster double last winter before finishing a fine second in the Grimthorpe on Town Moor.

Reflecting on Saturday’s effort, Hobson said: “It was his first proper run of the season and he blew quite hard, as you can imagine because they went so fast.

“I would say that will put him spot on now for the Rowland Meyrick (at Wetherby) on Boxing Day and then whether we go back for the Grimthorpe again or if he has a race in between, we’ll see. The better the ground, the better it is for him.”


More from Sporting Life

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.

Like what you've read?

Next Off

01:29:53
Handicap, 8 Runners, 5f 212y
Going: -
Surface: Turf
5
(6)
Horse silk
J: A Prakash
T: B Reddy
4
(3)
Horse silk
J: Vinay Jaiswal
T: Sabeel Shariff
3
(8)
Horse silk
J: Suraj Narredu
T: Rajesh Narredu
Follow & Track
Image of a horse race faded in a gold gradientYour favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My Stable
Log in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits

Most Followed

Horse silk

Ardisia

F: -

T: H Palmer

Horse silk

Social Exclusion

F: -

T: James Owen

Horse silk

So Sassy

F: 564-

T: J R Fanshawe

Horse silk

Eastwatch

F: 3-

T: A Slattery

Horse silk

Oriental Prince

F: 121811

T: J S Goldie