Fusil Raffles delights trainer Nicky Henderson with impressive victory in the Two Farmers Crisps Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham
- Daryl Jacob-ridden odds-on favourite produced a display to whet the appetite
- He was a Grade one-winning hurdler as a four-year-old but fell away last season
- Trainer said Fusil Raffles could be aimed at the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase
Nicky Henderson said Fusil Raffles has got his racing mojo back after the gelding cruised to victory in the Two Farmers Crisps Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.
On the first day’s action at jump racing’s HQ since the festival in March, the Daryl Jacob-ridden odds-on favourite produced a performance to whet the appetite for the coming month with a nine-and-a-half-length win from Sir Valentine.
Fusil Raffles, who won his first chase at Uttoxeter last month, was a Grade one-winning hurdler as a four-year-old but fell away last season after victory in the Elite Hurdle. He pulled up in the Christmas Hurdle and finished ninth to stablemate Epatante in the Champion Hurdle.
Daryl Jacob guided Fusil Raffles to a nine-and-a-half-length win at Cheltenham on Friday
Henderson said: ‘He is a happy boy again. I know he won the Elite Hurdle last season but I wasn’t happy.
‘Things went a bit AWOL last year. He looked like the real deal again. He is neat, nimble and athletic.’
Henderson said Fusil Raffles could be aimed at the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton’s Christmas meeting.
Meanwhile, Henderson’s two-time Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D’Air, who has not run since a wood splinter pierced his hoof when running last year, is back cantering but unlikely to run again until 2021.