Rebel Fitz lived up to his billing as the 6/4 favourite for the I.N.H. Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Novice Hurdle at Cork under Davy Russell.
Making all and jumping well, the French-bred 'missed' the fourth last but it did little to hamper his progress. Absolutlyfantastic was attempting to lay down a challenge but he wasn't great at either the third last or the second last hurdles.
Rebel Fitz had his race well won when putting in a spectacular leap at the last to seal the issue and he then sauntered home to easily beat Absolutlyfantastic by five and a half lengths with a short head back to Black Benny in third.
Michael Winters trains Rebel Fitz for Brian Sweetnam and he said: "We were very happy with him coming here today. The rain came which suited. We gave him a few bits of work over with Adrian Maguire during the week and Adrian rode him himself.
"He said you could ride this horse anywhere. He is a very talented horse – he is a great jumper and he'll definitely stay further.
"He could go next for a Grade 3 novice hurdle over three miles here next month. It's tempting as it's a good pot or another option is a two and a half mile race at Thurles.
"He'll go chasing next year."
