MICK FITZGERALD will not be wearing his kid gloves when partnering leading Tripleprint Gold Cup hope Fondmort (2.30) at Cheltenham this afternoon, writes Colin Woods.

Capturing such competitive and high-profile chase handicaps requires a fair amount of cunning and FitzGerald was not hard on Fondmort when the six-year-old gelding finished third on his return from a lengthy absence at Wincanton nine days ago.

Indeed there would have been no point in going for broke on Fondmort with such an inviting £100,000 race just around the corner. From a punting point of view it also affords the shrewd investor an opportunity to strike, because we know the horse will come on a bundle as far as his fitness is concerned.

Fondmort is a relative newcomer to British racing, having originally cut his teeth over hurdles in his native France. But he was an immediate hit once shipped over to this country last season, scoring twice at Kempton and once at Sandown.

Those three victories were all achieved over two miles. But the outing at Wincanton suggested he is far more effective over today's extra five furlongs.

There has also been good money in the "offices" this week, with leading high street bookmaker, Coral, clipping Fondmort's odds form 9-1 to 7-1, a concrete hint that the people in the know reckon the horse in is A1 shape.

Add to this trainer Nicky Henderson's excellent record at Cheltenham and all in all the prospect of upsetting the hot-favourite Cyfor Malta becomes a reality.

Get more racing online at www.racing-north.co.uk.