MICK FITZGERALD was looking to the future after landing the Daily Telegraph Novices' Chase on Garnwin at Ascot yesterday. Successful on Rough Quest in last year's Grand National, he is already thinking of future Aintree marathons for this progressive novice.
The Nicky Henderson-trained gelding, 11 to 8 favourite, was neck and neck with Frazer Island but stayed on in the last 100 yards of the two mile three furlong trip to win by half a length.
Although he may have idled when he finally got his nose in front, Fitzgerald, who rides National favourite Go Ballistic next Saturday, trumpeted Garnwin's Aintree potential. "This might be a National horse in a few years," he said.
The future also looks bright for trainer Ian Williams, who sent out Jultara to win the Fairview New Homes Novices' Chase, his fourth success in 22 runners since December.
Jultara was in front for the final circuit and held off Who Is Equiname by three quarters of a length. The 11 to 4 favourite had been second in four of his last six outings but was a winner for his trainer with his first Ascot runner.
"He's been unlucky and was second in this race last year" said Williams. "He's improved all year and is a real battler. He makes one or two mistakes but he gets over them."
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