FITZHENRY won the Grade B Whatoddspaddy Novice Handicap Chase at Naas on Sunday for owner JP McManus, trainer Paul Nolan and jockey Barry Geraghty. Last year the same owner saw his colours carried to victory in the contest by Edwulf, while in 2015 the race was won by Empire Of Dirt. This year’s winner has something to live up to if he is to follow these good winners.

On pedigree the six-year-old son of Flemensfirth (Alleged) has plenty to suggest he can go all the way to Grade 1 success. He is one of three foals to date for his French-bred dam She Took A Tree, a daughter of the largely forgotten Sri Pekan (Red Ransom). She Took A Tree won four times on the level in France and was placed many times. Fitzhenry is her second produce, following the moderate eight-year-old Damby’s Star (Kayf Tara) who in January finally got some form and won a maiden point-to-point in England, and she has a yearling full-brother to that particular gelding.