IT'S great that ITV are offering terrestrial racing viewers some light relief from these grim days at Thurles on Saturday, and I'm hoping that JOHNNY LITTLE LEGS can give us all a pick-me-up in the Horse & Jockey Handicap Hurdle.
The lightly-raced and, as his name suggests, diminutive five-year-old has shown improved form in his last two starts: he was making headway and going well when virtually brought down at Naas in early February and then led with a good jump at the last on this course (2m) earlier this month only to fail by a short head to Chalky White in a head-bobbing finish.
It's quite possible that, off an Irish handicap mark of 93, Johnny Little Legs is well handicapped on that form as the winner went onto finish second to the Cheveley Park Stud-owned Zambezi Sun, a horse who is potentially better than his mark judged on a five-length third to the Nicky Richards-trained Mayo Star (British rating of 125) at Ayr in January.
But what really appeals to me about the selection is his attitude as, despite being vertically challenged in the leg department, he looks a real trier and the way he saw out his last race suggests this step up in trip to two-and-three-quarter miles could suit him really well in what is a modest contest.
Later on, it may be worth giving another chance to WRONG DIRECTION in the Duggan Veterinary Handicap Chase.
On his best form, the ten-year-old is thrown in at the weights: he beat the now 145-rated hurdler Decor Irlandais in a point-to-point last April and then, in November, chased home last week's Cheltenham Foxhunters winner It Came To Pass in a hunter chase at Cork.
Off just 114, Wrong Direction is certainly leniently treated but he needs to put behind him two efforts at Fairyhouse when pulling up over three-miles-and-five furlongs (ran like a non-stayer) and then when sixth in a novice chase over two-miles-and-five furlongs.
However, the latter run was not as bad as it looked as Philip Enright's mount was challenging early in the home straight before weakening, and all the horses who finished in front of him have performed well since.
Wrong Direction's past form also suggests he goes well fresh so, after more than two months off, we may see a different horse this time at a decent price.
Preview posted at 1525 GMT on 20/03/2020
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