Little horse shows he has a big heart in National triumph
Diminutive racehorse Little Bruce showed he has a big heart when he won the Cambridgeshire National, the feature race of Huntingdon Racecourse’s Family Fun Day on Sunday.
Owner Bill Rolfe bought the horse chiefly because his dam – Lady Rolfe – shared his name. Sunday’s victory in the £30,000 race which, at three and three-quarter miles, is the longest in the Cambridgeshire track’s calendar, was a great delight, he said, and left his partner Sue in tears of joy.
The front-running seven-year-old, trained by Philip Kirby, was sent off the 3-1 favourite, one of four market leaders to win during the first five races.
Favourite backers had got off to a triumphant start – although at a skinny odds-on price of 1-2 – when the Dan Skelton-trained and Bridget Andrews-ridden Ferrobin landed the Molson Coors Novices’ Hurdle.
Trull La La was more profitable half an hour later at 7-4 in the racingtv.com Mares’ Maiden Hurdle for champion trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey Nico de Boinville. The duo are now leading trainer and rider at Huntingdon Racecourse this season.
The even-money favourite Station Master continued the misery for bookmakers when taking the Racing TV Novices’ Chase for trainer Kim Bailey.
The first market leader not to win was Thounder who was second best to the 9-4 shot Dyliev in the Follow @racingtv On Twitter Handicap Hurdle for Northamptonshire handler Caroline Bailey and Welsh jockey Sean Bowen.
Save The Pennies was a longer-priced winner of the Join Racing TV Now Handicap Hurdle, giving West Country trainer Grant Cann his first victory at Huntingdon, while an outsider, the 40-1 shot A Book Of Intrigue, claimed the finale – the Racing TV Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race – for trainer Fergal O’Brien.
*The next meeting at Huntingdon Racecourse is on Wednesday, 13th March – Festival Fever Go Racing day – when visitors can enjoy the local races live, while watching coverage from the second day of the Cheltenham Festival on large screens. Advance purchase of adult tickets is just £13 (£17 on the day). Tickets can be bought at http://huntingdon.thejockeyclub.co.uk or by calling 0844 579 3007.
About Huntingdon Racecourse
Huntingdon Racecourse, part of The Jockey Club, was voted ‘Best Small Racecourse’ in the Midlands by the Racegoers Club in 2012, 2014 and 2017. More information is available at http://huntingdon.thejockeyclub.co.uk.
The Jockey Club stages thrilling sporting occasions including The Randox Health Grand National, The Cheltenham Festival and The Investec Derby. Millions of people every year enjoy the special experiences we offer through racing, music, food and entertainment. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny we make goes back into British Racing to help the sport thrive. We were founded in 1750 and today we are the largest commercial group in Britain’s second-biggest spectator sport, operating 15 racecourses nationwide, The National Stud, Jockey Club Estates, Jockey Club Catering, Jockey Club Live and our charity, Racing Welfare. For more information visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.
For further information, please contact:
Liam Johnson, General Manager, at Huntingdon Racecourse, on 01480 453373 or liam.johnson@thejockeyclub.co.uk
