Happy days for Fonzerelli

SATURDAY proved a good day for the north. All seven races at Kelso, though contested by plenty of runners from the south, went to northern trainers. And while the

Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase was won by Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Undersupervision, the Listed Virgin Bet Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle went to Rebecca Menzies’ Fonzerelli, ridden by Nathan Moscrop.

Menzies, who trains near Sedgefield in Co Durham, began working as a stable lass for Ferdy Murphy and went up through the ranks working as secretary and assistant, before starting out at Peter Beaumont’s small yard in Bransby. When trainer John Wade retired, she took over his somewhat larger yard and a lot of his horses and she has not looked back.

Fonzerelli made it 27 jump winners for the season, her best yet, and despite being rated a lot lower than some of her rivals, it was astute placing from her trainer.

“It might have looked absolutely mad on paper running her after winning an average novice at Newcastle last week,” said Menzies, 32. “But we thought it was worth taking our chance in the hope that we got some black type, and obviously she has gone

“She has gone and exceeded our expectations” REBECCA MENZIES ON

FONZERELLI

and exceeded our expectations.

It’s the biggest win for Nathan and ourselves.”

The trainer, who went to work for Murphy in her gap year and ended up knocking university on the head to pursue a career in racing, added: “She was bought to go chasing, but her owners have the long game in mind. She likes a bit of cut and she’s improving for three miles. She’s qualified for Newbury now, but that’s back over 2½ miles. She won a point-topoint and has schooled over fences with us. She was very good and is exciting for the future.”