Sandown
Race 2 – Brungle Bertie
Jockey – Lee Horner
4200m steeplechase
Leviathan chaser Brungle Bertie meets a quality field in the Crisp Steeplechase at Sandown this afternoon. The gelded son of Canford Cliffs was excellent when last over the jumps at Warrnambool a month ago, the stable keeping him ticking over with a sound performance on the flat at Bendigo ten days ago. Jockey Lee Horner hops back on today, hoping to continue his good relationship with the eight-year-old (3:2-0-1).
Hard to ignore the fresh effort of Stern Idol in the Mosstrooper at Pakenham three weeks ago. He toyed with his rivals there, setting up a big lead before jumping the second-last fence just a length clear, only to go on and win by twenty-lengths. It was bordering on arrogant what he did to them. The query is out to 4200-metres on improving ground, that’s three-and-a-half furlongs further than his last start. He deserves favouritism, but can’t dive in at the short odds. Grand Annual winner Rockstar Ronnie will put himself in the race from the outset and give them something to chase. We know he’ll get the trip and jump well, and firmer footing won’t pull this jumper up. Tolemac won the Australian Steeplechase here two starts back by a big space before a plain effort last time out. Expect him to bounce back here. Killourney is one from one over the big fences but this is a big jump in class, while Crosshill has been good on the flat since his placing in the Grand Annual. Both have place claims.
Brungle Bertie is on a path to the Grand National at Ballarat in three weeks and will benefit from the miles in his legs today. He’ll jump well and be in this for a long way, however the improving track is no help to his chances. He gives his all every time he steps out at the races and we can expect no less today. A top four chance in a competitive event.
Currently, Brungle Bertie is a $23 chance in the market.