Fitzgerald gallops Trouble at Huntingdon

Looks Like Trouble pleased connections in a racecourse gallop at Huntingdon today as he continued his steady progress along the comeback trail after over 12 months on the sidelines through injury.

The 2000 Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup winner has not raced since sustaining a tendon injury when running out an impressive winner of the James Nicholson Champion Chase at Down Royal in November the same year.

He was partnered in the gallop by Mick Fitzgerald and went two miles on the Flat with stable-companion No Collusion who was ridden by Tom Doyle.

They set a steady pace for the first mile and a quarter or so but stepped up a gear in the straight though neither was asked a serious question and they finished upsides.

Look Likes Trouble had looked big and well beforehand and Chance who had earlier completed an across-the-card double with Fionnula`s Rainbow at Huntingdon and Lysandros at Taunton, reasoned: 'I was very happy with him, he galloped nicely and enjoyed himself.

'In fact he blew up turning into the straight and then ran on and the only question now is if he is all right in the morning - if he is then it is onwards and upwards.'

Fitzgerald has been successful on Looks Like Trouble twice and Chance went on: 'He knows him well and he was delighted with the horse. He will ride him in the John Bull at Wincanton (January 19th) and we should have him 85 per cent ready for that.

'Then all being well Richard (Johnson who rode him at Down Royal, but who is currently injured) will be back on him for the AON Chase at Newbury (February 9th).

'We have had a good day and hopefully Looks Like Trouble will be all right tomorrow.'