Cap Fits for Milan at Kempton

If The Cap Fits (5g Milan-Derravaragh Sayra, by Sayarshan) confirmed himself a top-class novice hurdling prospect for Milan when scoring at Kempton on King George day on Tuesday.

Unbeaten in both his previous hurdling starts this season, the Harry Fry-trained Milan gelding overcame a double penalty under Noel Fehily to win the two-mile contest with ease for owners Paul and Clare Rooney.

"I was delighted and he's improving all year. On ratings, he was entitled to go and do it,” said Jason Maguire, racing manager to the winning owners.  "Noel said that whatever you ask of him he gives it to you. Hopefully it will continue all the way to (Cheltenham in) March.

”Noel said to mind him but we'll leave it up to Harry where he goes next. He naturally seems to be a good jumper, though you could argue a bit more experience would do him no harm. We're just slightly surprised at the speed he has shown on his last two runs.”

If The Cap Fits, bred by Liam Gilsenan, is now 10/1 second-favourite for the 2m G1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival with many bookmakers although Fry is also thinking of the longer 2m 4f G1 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.

"Clearly he's going the right way. I thought he'd want two and a half (miles) at the start of the season but I don't see any rush to step him up in trip,” said Fry. “He'll be entered in both the Supreme and the Ballymore and we'll decide where later on."