DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SUNDAY MARCH 2
4.37 LEOPARDSTOWN
Connections of BRUCEJACK (best price 13-2) must have been cursing their luck coming up against subsequent winner Ney at Fairyhouse last time out but the data suggests Pat Fahy’s gelding didn’t do a whole pile wrong, and compensation potentially waits for this consistent chaser, still searching for his first win under rules.
The eight-year-old set good fractions from the outset at the Meath venue and apart from the eventual winner, he had the rest of his rivals at full stretch from a long way out. Although beaten fair and square by a horse who could easily be mixing it at a higher level sooner rather than later, his time figure still proved to be the second best on the card, which includes Grade 3 chase winner Lecky Watson, and his mark of 110 remains the same despite that excellent effort.
Moreover, Rokathir, who fell when still in contention at the second last, went on to boost the form further on his next start and with the son of Shantou seen to good advantage on the two times he has faced marathon trips, another big run looks in the offing from this sound jumper.
BRUCEJACK –1/2 point each-way@13-2
5.02 HUNTINGDON
The bumper won by Storming George at Doncaster last month was noted for its excellent speed figure for a race of its kind and KIND INTENTION (best price 8-1), who shaped with plenty of promise on his debut, is fancied to fly the flag for the form in this similar affair.
Sent off at 25-1 and one of only two four-year-olds in the field, Tom Symonds’ inmate only had a handful behind him turning for home on Town Moor but with a strong surge in the final half a mile, he managed to work himself into the picture in the dying stages.
Hitting the front a furlong out, the son of Dartmouth showed elements of greenness by edging to his right under pressure but in no way did this trait prevent him from winning and an honourable second was more than a fair return on his opening gambit.
The type likely to do better with that all important run under his belt, he now has something to build on and despite facing several with useful form and a well fancied Skelton runner on debut, the four-year-old can more than hold his own.
KIND INTENTION – ½ point each-way@8-1