Spirit of Red Rum’s training could help Little Bruce’s bid in Catterick’s North Yorkshire Grand National

He hopes the change of scenery, as well as the bracing water of the North Sea, will be the perfect prep for the diminutive horse in time for today’s North Yorkshire Grand National.

Victorious in last year’s renewal of the marathon race at Catterick, Little Bruce’s task is far more arduous this year after a significant hike in the handicap.

And while his stature means he will never line up in the Grand National, a race that the legendary Red Rum made his own in the 1970s after being trained on the dunes of Southport by Ginger McCain, today’s test remains a significant one.

Owned by the Gps Partnership, he’s a horse who has struck up a great rapport with jockey Tommy Dowson and showed his versatility by competing in a cross country race at Cheltenham last November.

Dowson enjoys taking Little Bruce on away days hacking through the countryside or hunting – a rapport that has shone through on social media since winning the Cambridgeshire National at Huntingdon in March 2019.

But it was Kirby, whose East Appleton stables are just a short canter from Catterick, who decided to take Little Bruce and a host of other horses to the beach.

And while he’s concerned about the weather – Catterick must pass a 7.30am inspection – and rise in the weights, he, himself, relished the chance to get back in the saddle for this beach gallop.

“Little Bruce isn’t a very big horse and he is not as well handicapped as he was last year, but we will give it a go,” says Kirby who briefly rode as a jockey himself before becoming a far more successful trainer.

“We will be giving it a good go. He’s fresh, well and we’ve been doing a few trips to the beach to keep the horses fresh. Little Bruce loves it; he’s been a few times. “He goes well for Tommy (Dowson) because they’re both positive.

“‘Bruce’ likes to be positive and it’s the same with Tommy who loves to take the horse off to do his own thing. They’re a great partnership.”

Kirby attributes the horse’s popularity to racing’s regard for long distance steeplechasers and stamina test involved.

It’s a view shared by Kirby’s racing secretary Megan Dent who has also become the stable’s photographer in order to capture special moments on camera for posterity like her boss hacking through the sea on Little Bruce.

Responsible for overseeing the entries and speaking to owners since joining the yard four years ago after leaving for school, she’s also used the role to develop her passion for photography.

Her pictures are such that the stable was able to produce its own calendar while evocative photos of retired stable star Lady Buttons were turned into a set of coasters.

“It’s something I’ve picked up as a hobby,” says Dent. “There was nothing posed or special about the beach photo – Phil and Little Bruce looked quite natural! But the horse is a real yard favourite.

“It was a special day when he won the North Yorkshire National and let’s hope he can do it again – he’s part of the family.”

Meanwhile Top Ville Ben, winner of the 2019 Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby under a characteristic frontrunning ride by Dowson, is back in training after an injury setback.

A leading contender for last year’s Randox Grand National before the race fell victim to the Covid lockown, Kirby says he’s unlikely to line up at Aintree this year.

“He’s back in light work,” added the trainer. “The priority is to get him back on track this season rather than try and force a National out of it.”

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