Jimmy Fox insisted “there was nothing going on” after I Doubt That landed a gamble from 33-1 to 11-4 favourite at Kempton Park on Wednesday night.
Punters got stuck into the four-year-old son of Gleneagles, beaten 88 lengths on the Flat in four starts in Ireland, as he made debut for the Wiltshire trainer – without a winner in the previous 925 days – in the concluding Racing TV Handicap at the Sunbury course. And the gamble came off as Pat Dobbs’ mount, wearing a tongue strap, attempting a mile and a half for the first time and making his all-weather debut, scored by half a length.
“He was fit and well, and everything was in place – the surface, the track, a mile and a half would have been a big plus – and we thought he would win,” said Fox. “There wasn’t anything going on. He’s a nice horse he did the job and I don’t think there was that much money on him – see what you can get on at 33-1 these days!”
Fox did not travel to the course and was not interviewed by the stewards before or after the race. I Doubt That was last seen in action on April 13 for trainer Kieran Purcell finishing towards the rear of the field in a Gowran Park handicap. He is listed as joining Fox on May 11.
Reacting to the gamble, British Horseracing Authority spokesman said yesterday: “The stewards were satisfied with the outcome given this was the horse’s first start for a new trainer, in a new country and a new trip, wearing new gear and encountering the surface for the first time.”
Lysander will bid to book his place in the Cazoo Derby line-up at Goodwood on Friday. The Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat Stakes is the target for the William Haggas-trained colt.
“It is a big day on Friday with Lysander running in the last of the Derby trials,” said Harry Herbert, chairman and managing director for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing. “He is a very exciting horse from what we have seen at home, and we are going to have a look on Friday to see if he is a Derby horse."
