WALES’ brightest prospect At Fishers Cross will be fighting fit this afternoon, his trainer says, as he gears up for a select and high class campaign.
While acknowledging the six-year-old will come on for the run, Rebecca Curtis is confident he is as lean as she can get him on her picturesque Pembrokeshire gallops.
“He will be fit but not at the same level as he would be later on in the season. He had a good summer in Ireland, he’s strengthened up all over and as long as he stays sound, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t continue to progress,” she said.
Unstoppable AP McCoy takes his customary mount on the gelding in this afternoon’s Bet365 Hurdle at Wetherby, as he continues his pursuit of 4,000 career wins.
The last time the pair were united on course, Aintree racegoers saw them storm clear in the John Smith's Sefton Novices' Hurdle, following up an impressive Albert Bartlett success.
“We have always thought At Fishers Cross was a good horse, he had a few physical problems which we have sorted out,” said Curtis.
“It’s very exciting to train him. Everybody wants Grade One winners.”
Today’s reappearance is five months away from the Festival, where At Fishers Cross might meet the incredible four time consecutive winner Big Buck’s.
In the pipeline before that date with destiny are the graded long distance hurdles at Newbury and Ascot.
Christmas time will mark a year since JP McManus’ charge won a Newbury handicap off a mark of just 122, before his meteoric rise up the ranks which culminated in the spring.
While he has some way to go to topple an on song Big Buck’s, Curtis is confident of further glory, but taking it one race at a time.
“His main aim is the World Hurdle,” she confirmed.
“As long as he stays sound, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t continue to progress.”