If The Cap Fits makes promising jumping debut at Exeter
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Thu 7 Dec 2023
It will be interesting to see how high up the ladder If The Cap Fits can go this season after a perfect start to his new career at Exeter.
Having finished a close fourth in the championship bumper at the Grand National meeting, there was plenty of excitement about his impending start to life over timber in the first division of the Download The App At 188Bet Novices' Hurdle.
Noel Fehily decided to keep things simple on the Harry Fry-trained 1-2 favourite and bounced into an early lead he would not relinquish.
Jumping like an old hand, it is only a matter of time before he finds himself back up in graded company as there were some nice horses in behind, including Emma Lavelle's Enniscoffey Oscar, second in the Aintree race and fourth on this occasion.
"This is a lovely track to bring him for his first run over hurdles and he's having a good blow," said Fry.
"He had really good bumper form and it was just a matter of getting started.
"I thought he jumped very slickly and now he will run through his novices, next time under a penalty, but we will take it steady with him."
The second division went to the Philip Hobbs-trained Master Work, a newcomer who had no previous racecourse experience.
Tom O'Brien was on board the 13-2 winner who held off 100-1 chance Rocket Ronnie by a neck.
Paul Nicholls' Coastal Tiep (7-4) may only be five but looked all stamina in beating Fry's odds-on favourite Wotzizname in the Great Point Media Beginners' Chase.
Sam Twiston-Davies was registering his 48th winner of the season.
"He was always going to be a chaser and he was a bit big today - he will definitely come on a fair bit for it and can only get better mentally as we give him more races," said Nicholls.
"But Rome wasn't built in a day, so there will be no rush, we'll just let him run through his novices.
"He was big and bold at his fences and is one of a lot of novice chasers I like very much.
"In fact we have more novice chasers among the 125 horses I have in and they should all being well win a lot of races."
Trans Express (7-1) was a clear-cut four-length winner of the Great Point Media Handicap Hurdle for locals Sue and Lucy Gardner.
A winner at the track last December, he had shown little worthwhile form since.
Sue Gardner said: "It's always special having winners at my local course as we are based just four miles away as the crow flies.
"Trans Express is a very nice prospect and came here just under the mark he won over the course and distance in December.
"I know Lucy is thrilled with him and I hope he can go forward now. He's among around a dozen I have in the yard."
Robert Walford's Mr Medic (11-4 favourite) can expect a fair hike in the weights after an effortless success in the Bet £10 Get £20 At 188Bet Handicap Chase.
Twice a winner over fences already, James Best kicked on some way out and coasted home by 14 lengths.
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