The 13/2 shot was meeting Il Ridoto for the fourth time at the track in the calendar year, finishing second to him over course and distance in January, second to his rival’s sixth behind Seddon at the Festival, and fourth, a place behind the Nicholls gelding, in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on the Old Course last month.

This time, he managed to gain a first course win, much to the despair of Bryony Frost, who must have thought she had done enough when shaking off the persistent challenge of Frero Banbou (Venetia Williams/Charlie Deutsch) at the penultimate fence.

That pair had set up a commanding lead and raced in tandem from an early stage, but Frero Banbou began to feel the pinch on the home turn and was joined by Fugitif at the last, albeit keeping on gamely to secure third, nine and a half lengths behind the front pair.

Fugitif had plenty of ground to make up turning for home having been held up in rear, but he made relentless headway from the third last fence and while he was only fourth at the penultimate fence, he had only flagging rivals ahead of him and sustained his run until typically looking to idle as he joined Il Ridoto close home.

The winner may run next in the Fleur de Lys Chase at Lingfield, part of the track’s Winter Million fixture, next month, while Il Ridoto will attempt to repeat his course and distance handicap win on Trials Day.

“The last time I rode him I felt he was a bit keen, and I was handier but today it felt like we were going flat out,” said Sheehan after his latest big-race success. “From a long way out, I thought we have got to chase the front two, but I was just biding my time to chase.”

Shanagh stays well

THE Grade 2 Bristol Novices’ Hurdle (run as the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle) saw 15/8 favourite Shanagh Bob (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville) belie his inexperience to run out a taking winner of the staying contest, beating Destroytheevidence (Kim Bailey/David Bass) and Moon d’Orange (John McConnell/Ben Harvey) by a length and a quarter, and two and a quarter lengths.

The placed pair were always prominent, and the winner, who scored at Plumpton on his only previous run over hurdles, arrived late on the scene to triumph.

He looks like stamina is his strong suit and is expected to be back for the Spa (Albert Bartlett) Hurdle over course and distance in March. He could do with gaining more experience in the meantime but is a fine-looking gelding with a future.

Broadway’s blunders

Broadway Boy (Nigel/Sam Twiston-Davies) justified 11/8 favouritism in the staying handicap chase, following up a listed win in novice company at the Paddy Power meeting last month. Attempting to make all the running, he misjudged both ditches on the final circuit, but rallied gamely to regain the lead, and proved too resilient for the frustrating Threeunderthrufive (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) with top-weight Protektorat (Dan/Harry Skelton) staying on well for third. The distances were a length and a quarter and a length and three quarters.

“After the last day this race came onto the agenda,” said the winning handler. “We are always looking for big money and this race was worth a lot of money. You can go for a novice chase for half of the money so that is the idea of going for a race like this.

“We like pitching novice chasers against experienced horses when we get the chance. We have done all our lives, and we have earned a lot of money doing that. He could go for either the National Hunt Chase or the Brown Advisory come The Festival.

“We will just have to see what the opposition looks like. He has taken us a bit by surprise as for a five-year-old to be this good is quite something, but we like being surprised. I think everybody would think he could win at the top level after today.”

Around the tracks

PADDY Brennan rode a double at Catterick on Tuesday for Fergal O’Brien to reach and breach the 1,500-winner mark as a jockey.

The highlight of the Galway native’s career to date was riding Imperial Commander to win the 2020 Gold Cup at Cheltenham, while he’s also associated with fan favourites Inglis Drever and Cue Card.

“It’s something I’m really proud of and I do understand the magnitude of it,” said Brennan on reaching the milestone. “It’s been hard, it’s still hard, every day is hard, but I’m so proud of my family and the people that have supported me along the way. It’s been an incredible journey.

“I’ve no doubt that without Fergal’s yard I would not be here today having ridden 1,500 winners. He extended my career, and we work well together.

“I’m so driven to get the good days back – Gold Cups, Champion Hurdles, Stayers’ Hurdles. I’m running out of time, but that’s what gets me up every day – I love good horses.”

NICK Alexander dominated the Ayr Wednesday card with four winners, two of them partnered by Danny McMenamin. Stuart Crawford was also among the winners with a double by way of I Love My Baie (11/4) in the novices’ hurdle over two miles and two and a half furlongs.

The double for Simon Munir and Isaac Souede was completed in the final two mile bumper when Ayiko scored by five lengths under Daryl Jacob.