Jockey Tommy Dowson says low weight can aid Little Bruce

Jockey Tommy Dowson partners Little Bruce at Cheltenham today against dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll.Jockey Tommy Dowson partners Little Bruce at Cheltenham today against dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll.
Jockey Tommy Dowson partners Little Bruce at Cheltenham today against dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll.
even though Tiger Roll is, arguably, the most popular steeplechaser in training, Tommy Dowson will be doing his very best to defeat the dual Grand National winner at Cheltenham today.

Dowson partners the Yorkshire-trained Little Bruce, a horse small in stature but big in heart, in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase on day one of the Open meeting.

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It promises to be a fascinating race as Tiger Roll, the 2018 and 2019 hero, carries top weight and has to concede 4lb to Easyland, the French-trained horse who prevailed when the two clashed at the National Hunt Festival.

And it leaves horses of the calibre of Catterick trainer Phil Kirby’s Little Bruce, winner of the North Yorkshire National at Catterick earlier in the year, running off a featherweight 10 stone in this near-four mile contest.

Dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll reappears at Cheltenham today.Dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll reappears at Cheltenham today.
Dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll reappears at Cheltenham today.

Dowson schooled Little Bruce over the cross-country course recently – footage from the headcam suggested the horse enjoyed it as much as his fresh-faced jockey who knows opportunities like this, and the chance to prove his horsemanship against horses like Tiger Roll, don’t come along very often.

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But he’s always clicked with the aptly-named Little Bruce since landing the 2019 Cambridgeshire National at Huntingdon – their bravery standing off at the gaping open ditch in front of the stands was jaw-dropping as they met the obstacle on a long stride.

Today Little Bruce will have to prove he’s nimble around Cheltenham’s twists and turns. “He schooled very well and should love the race,” said Dowson who hopes that the race being shown on ITV4, will give a tonic to his father who remains seriously ill in Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary after suffering a bleed on his brain.

“He’s in off 10 stone over a marathon trip which helps. Fingers crossed he can put on a show and run a nice race.”

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Dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll.Dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll.
Dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll.

The contest has also attracted last season’s Welsh Grand National winner Potters Corner for trainer Christian Williams. But all eyes will be on Gordon Elliott’s Tiger Roll who had a prep run on the Flat and whose four National Hunt Festival wins in total include the 2018 and 2019 Cross Country races.

And he’ll be ridden for the first time by former Gold Cup-winning jockey Robbie Power because Keith Donoghue, Tiger Roll’s regular rider in these races, has opted to stay in Ireland due to Covid restritions.

“It’s very unfortunate for Keith that the restrictions in place over in Ireland meant he would have had to isolate for 14 days if he came,” said Power.

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“It’s a great spare for me to pick up, though, and I’m really looking forward to it. His main objective will be Cheltenham in March and Aintree in April, but this is a path he’s taken before – so if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.

“Obviously he faces a very tough task having to give 4lb to Easysland, who beat him at level weights back in March, but I know Gordon is very happy with him.”

Meanwhile, Middleham jockey Henry Brooke will face a long spell on the injury sidelines following a fall on the gallops earlier this week.

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He was riding out for Cheshire trainer Oliver Greenall when he fell from a horse and injured a number of vertebrae in his back and neck. He’s being treated at Wrexham Hospital.

The 30-year-old is no stranger to adversity after a heavy fall at Hexham just over four years ago left him fighting for his life in intensive care.

It means Brooke misses the chance to win successive renewals of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle on Micky Hammond’s Cornerstone Lad after taking Newcastle’s Grade One race last year with an inspired piece of tactical frontrunning over dual Champion Hurdle hero Buveur D’Air.

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