Former point-to-point rider Shane Fitzgerald enjoyed his finest moment in the saddle when Commander Of Fleet causes the biggest upset ever seen in the Grade 3 Coral Cup, scoring at 50/1 on day two of the Cheltenham Festival
Fitzgerald, a two-time Champion Under-21 point-to-point rider when based with Mick Goff, and since taking the decision to join the professional ranks, he has already ridden the winner of the Kerry National, a victory that was usurped by this first Festival victory on his first ride professional ride at the Festival.
Commander Of Fleet, who himself also graduated from the point-to-point fields having started off winning at Moig South for master trainer Pat Doyle, had to overcome a blunder at the last as he just denied Fastorslow by a short head in a thrilling finish.
“It’s absolutely serious - the atmosphere round here… even to ride in the likes of here on an athlete of a horse is unbelievable. I can’t thank Gordon [Elliott] and Mr O’Leary enough for giving me the opportunities… It’s unbelievable,” said Fitzgerald.
“We were a little bit slow jumping off, but picked our way through and were fairly handy the whole way. We were wide and had plenty of light the whole way and, to be fair, I didn't want to give Jack too much room. Swinging down to the second-last we half-went chasing him. He was so tough the whole way to the line.
“He’s had some very good runs and a couple of poor runs, but it’s my third time riding him and my second time winning on him, and we seem to have a nice old partnership. Hopefully there will be plenty more days like that.
“He was a little bit sticky [in his jumping early on] and started to have a cut at them then after jumping a couple, and I thought he’d gain at the last but he gave us a bit of a scary moment. He picked up though and came through. He’s just different class.
“It’s great for everyone in the yard - there’s a lot of work and a lot of early mornings. I’m delighted for Katie, who’s leading him up. They’ll get a great buzz out of it. It’s massive for everyone [to have a winner] and to be part of it. It’s great even to be getting rides over here, let alone winners - it’s hard to explain [what it means].
“I knew I was up on the line. Darragh [O’Keeffe, on Fastorslow], my neighbour at home, was actually upsides me and we had a good battle the whole way to the line. It’s unreal.
“From the start as a kid I have watched this and seen all the greats coming through, the likes of AP [McCoy] and Davy [Russell] - it’s class, and I’m riding against the likes of Davy now. It’s what dreams are made of.”
