By Andrew Atkinson
Philip Kirby trained Little Bruce was successful in the North Yorkshire Grand National at Catterick on Thursday under jockey Tommy Dowson.
“Little Bruce was a brave winner of the Watt Fences North Yorkshire Grand National for his proud owners, the GPS Partnership,” said trainer Philip.
“It will go down as a memorable day, for Tommy and all our team,” said Philip, based a Green Oaks Farm stables, Richmond, North Yorkshire.
Little Bruce (15-8 favourite) backed from 2-1, bagged the winner’s purse of almost £15,000 in the 3m 5f race.
Little Bruce pushed along before three out, to lead at the last, and stayed on to gain a 3 lengths win, ahead of Sumkindofking, with Chase The Wind a further 6 lengths behind, third.
Stablemate, Gordalan, finished third under Dowson, at 28-1, in Catterick’s Juvenille Hurdle over 1m 7f, cut from 33-1.
L’attendue, under Dowson, finished fourth in the Novice Handicap Chase over 3 miles 1 furlong.
Philip also saddled Mr Carbonator to finish third at Newcastle, under jockey Ben Curtis, in the Betway Handicap over 1 mile 2 furlongs.
Caption: Little Bruce: North Yorkshire Grand National win at Catterick, under Tommy Dowson.
