Fitzgerald set for Wincanton return

Lydia Hislop13 April 2012

Marlborough is still on course for his preferred Cheltenham Gold Cup warmup, the Jim Ford Chase at Wincanton this Thursday, after his dedicated rider Mick Fitzgerald today issued an upbeat report on his elbow injury.

Fitzgerald strained a tendon while partnering Marlborough's stablemate, Bacchanal, to victory at Ascot last Saturday for Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson. Rather than aggravate it further at Fontwell yesterday, he gave up his remaining book of rides after just two races.

But the injury is responding well to intensive physiotherapy. Having sat out today's racing and planning to repeat the exercise tomorrow, the 30-year-old jockey is hopeful of being ready for Thursday - a race he acknowledges would be "an easier option" for the Gold Cup third favourite than Kempton's Racing Post Chase this Saturday.

"My elbow isn't too bad - I'm having physio and will take it from day to day. But the trouble with an injury like this is that it won't go away overnight. It needs time and, with Marlborough, that's exactly what I don't have. But by taking two days off I am confidently expecting to be fighting fit for Thursday," said Fitzgerald.

"The Kempton race would give me a bit more space. Obviously Marlborough's connections want to get his preparation right just as much as I do, so they're prepared to consider all options. The Wincanton race would be easier, but he did run an exceptional race when second to Gloria Victis in last year's Racing Post Chase before going on to win at the Cheltenham Festival."

Fitzgerald bemoaned the lack of an on-site physiotherapist at Fontwell yesterday, as his specialist Mike Foy had advised him to seek out local treatment if his problems at Ascot recurred.

"I was 100 per cent after my first ride yesterday, but then began to feel it tightening up as at Ascot. I had to stop there and leave for some treatment," he said.

In other Cheltenham Festival news, leading Queen Mother Champion Chase hope, Flagship Uberalles, resumed cantering today at trainer Noel Chance's Lambourn yard for the first time since returning home lame in two legs when beaten by Function Dream at Newbury ten days ago. But Mister Morose will miss both the Smurfit Champion and Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdles due to "a minor problem".

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