Loch Linnhe might make amends

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33917, 9 August 1975, Page 8

Loch Linnhe might make amends

It has been many years now since the colours of Mr Bill I lazlett have not been carried to victory in one of the major races for jumpers at the Christchurch Hunt or Grand National meetings.

So far this has not been as lucrative as previous National meetings for Southland's leading owner hut the tide could turn today if Loch I Linnhe comes up with one of his peak performances in the Koral Steeplechase. In last Saturday’s Grand National Steeplechase Loch Linnhe looked a big chance when he closed quickly on Fumbler and Kinrara down the back the last time but tn, the final pinch his 68kg (1010). as against Fumbler’s 57kg (9-0) and Kinrara’s 58kg (9-2), proved a bit too much for him at the end of a gruelling 5600 m. 1

There are three good reasons why Loch Linnhe l should win. or go close,': today: the distance of the;: Koral Steeples is 760 m shorter than the National; he has half a kilogram less to i carry, and he will not have? a light-weight as talented as|i Fumbler with which to con-| tend. . ; 1 On form already disclosed at the meeting Kinrara I should be the obvious horse 1 i Loch' Linnhe has to beat — 1 ■ he followed his Grand Nati ional second with an impres- 1 i ■ sive win in the Hunt Cup on I H Tuesday — but because of I that solid patch of form he now meets the top-weight ' : on three and a half kiio-i grams worse terms than I' when they clashed in the? National. I'

The only other runner that will come in for much consideration in the five-horse field is Mess Time. The 1973 Grand National Steeplechase, winner was not far from Fumbler and still travelling: i well when he bumped his rider out of' the saddle at I the live fence, 1800 m out in ' last Saturday’s big ’chase. Although hopes of a South Island victory in the crosscountry event look bright' northerners are likely toj dominate things in the prin-l cipal event on the pro-1 gramme, the Grand National Hurdles. While it might not be easy to predict which will be favourite, if the result [follows betting trends in the $6300 event Fumbler, Frederik and Thun should be heavily involved in the finish.

The Grand National Hurdles will be the first leg of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s T.A.B. concession double. The second leg of this double will be the Islington Handicap for which the Te Rapa - trained Curtv Wave is likelv to be a dominating favourite. There will be a concession for course patrons only on the Rolleston and Longheach Handicaps and there will be quinella betting on all races.