3 minute read

Just a few hours after Jack Jones enjoyed a first Cheltenham winner Richard Hobson added his name to the roll of honours list courtesy of Fugitif's last-gasp success in the December Gold Cup.

The Gloucestershire-based handler was zero from forty-three at the track heading into the £130,000 Virgin Bet December Gold Cup Handicap Chase, but Fugitif ensured Richard Hobson would gain a first winner at the home of jumps racing when finishing with a wet-sail to get the better of Il Ridoto in a race for the ages.

All eyes were drawn to the Olly Murphy-trained market leader Thunder Rock, but the 3/1 favourite never looked like getting involved after making an early mistake and was eventually pulled-up by Sean Bowen.

The tempo was strong throughout with both Il Ridoto and eventual third Frero Banbou setting frantic fractions. It seemed for all the world that the pace would collapse turning for home but one by one their rivals began to fall away, and they opened up a healthy advantage on the run to the final two fences. 

However, the race would change complexion for one last time as Fugitif, who had been second on three of his four previous visits to Prestbury Park along with finishing fourth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, began to find his stride under Gavin Sheehan.

To his credit, Il Ridoto continued to battle all the way to the line under Bryony Frost after flying the final flight, but it wasn't to be for Paul Nicholls' charge, as Fugitif stuck his head down right where it matters to prevail by a short head.

Hobson said: "He was quite far back, but we had a top jockey on, and we got there in the end. The plan wasn't to be that far back, but he has ridden a lovely race on him. The ground was really dead and tiring and he has timed it to perfection. 

"They keep climbing the handicap when they finish second so to come here and carry a big weight like he has done today it is just a fabulous performance by the horse. 

"It is incredible. I've had 11 seconds, and you think is it ever going to happen. All be it we have been running at the top end. We haven't been coming here with a well handicapped horse, we have been trying to punch above our weight and it has just taken its time, but we have got there in the end. 

"I hoped he would get his day in the sun. Off 151 today it is just an incredible performance by him. At the top of the hill, I thought he was creeping into it, then he had to get past the horse that fell, and I thought that has put an end to it. 

"I thought at the second last we had a definite chance. I don't know how the heart rate was over the last as I didn't check it. 

"As they went past the post, I thought it was a near miss again, but thankfully the result went our way for a change."

"There is a conditions race at Lingfield, the Fleur De Lys, so we might go for that. It is on January 21st which is my birthday, and we might go there."

Winning jockey Gavin Sheehan told ITV Racing: "The last time I rode him (when fourth in last month's Paddy Power Gold Cup) I felt he was a bit keen, and I was handier but today it felt like we were going flat out.

"After jumping three fences I said to Sean Bowen what are you are doing back here, and he said I want to be ahead so that gave me confidence that they were going a gallop. From a long way out, I thought we had got to chase the front two, but I was just biding my time to chase.

"He finished strong up the hill and that is what I wanted. It was just whether they were going to stop in front and to be fair that was just a brilliant result for Richard Hobson and his team as he has had a lot of seconds here.

"He deserved that as he is a brilliant horse to ride. He got one fence wrong but that was it and other than that he was brilliant. It was such a great feeling coming down the hill travelling like he did. I thought the race may be over and we might be picking up the piece but to be fair I didn't know how I was going to win on him today. I just let the race unfold."

As for Il Ridoto, his trainer Paul Nicholls has earmarked a return to course and distance on January 27th for the Premier Handicap he won this year on Festival Trials Day. 

Nicholls said: "He ran well from the front end, but you are always susceptible to a finisher. He did keep galloping and he half pricked his ears. He has run a blinding race, and he is an improving young horse. I'm thrilled with him. He will come back here on Trials Day for the race he won last season."