15.10 Newbury
Fix The Rib
The Gary Moore-trained nine-year-old has not hit the mark since November 2009, but that should not prove a deterrent ahead of the Barbury International Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup.
After all, the likeable gelding has turned in a number of stout displays since his attentions were switched to chasing, having been considered smart enough to run in this season's Tingle Creek.
Although he is almost certainly not of that calibre of animal, Fix The Rib should be in his element in a frenetic handicap of this nature.
Moore's inmate, a five-time winner over fences, was scribbled into many notebooks at Kempton last time when he took within his stride the step back up to this two-and-a-half-mile trip.
Despite having made a bit of a meal of the last, Fix The Rib finished third behind Cruchain and Triangular in what looked a good race.
That effort confirmed the opinion two miles is now probably on the brisk side for him, while the better ground at the Sunbury circuit also helped to reignite the yet-to-be-extinguished fire in his belly.
Newbury's flat, galloping characteristics have also served him well in the past, and at a far higher grade, when he chased home Master Minded in the 2010 Game Spirit Chase.
Front-runners often thrive at the Berkshire venue, too, so expect Jamie Moore, the trainer's son, to break quickly and decisively.
Perhaps crucially, Fix The Rib remains teasingly weighted for this assignment as he is 11lb lower than when last victorious.
Moore has also resisted the urge to enter him at the Cheltenham Festival, so this could be his big day
Fix The Rib
The Gary Moore-trained nine-year-old has not hit the mark since November 2009, but that should not prove a deterrent ahead of the Barbury International Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup.
After all, the likeable gelding has turned in a number of stout displays since his attentions were switched to chasing, having been considered smart enough to run in this season's Tingle Creek.
Although he is almost certainly not of that calibre of animal, Fix The Rib should be in his element in a frenetic handicap of this nature.
Moore's inmate, a five-time winner over fences, was scribbled into many notebooks at Kempton last time when he took within his stride the step back up to this two-and-a-half-mile trip.
Despite having made a bit of a meal of the last, Fix The Rib finished third behind Cruchain and Triangular in what looked a good race.
That effort confirmed the opinion two miles is now probably on the brisk side for him, while the better ground at the Sunbury circuit also helped to reignite the yet-to-be-extinguished fire in his belly.
Newbury's flat, galloping characteristics have also served him well in the past, and at a far higher grade, when he chased home Master Minded in the 2010 Game Spirit Chase.
Front-runners often thrive at the Berkshire venue, too, so expect Jamie Moore, the trainer's son, to break quickly and decisively.
Perhaps crucially, Fix The Rib remains teasingly weighted for this assignment as he is 11lb lower than when last victorious.
Moore has also resisted the urge to enter him at the Cheltenham Festival, so this could be his big day
