Rustic Air for overdue win

RUSTIC AIR can reward Jimmy FitzGerald's patience with victory in the Syston Handicap Chase at Leicester today. The gelding looked a useful prospect when he, landed a novice chase at Market Rasen three years ago, making all and scoring unchallenged by seven lengths.

He has been difficult to train since then and FitzGerald has given him plenty of time to recuperate from the problems which have ailed him, not returning him to action until last month.

Rustic Air looked set to defy his long lay off in fine style when he took up the running at the fifth last fence in a handicap at Nottingham only to fall two fences from home.

The nine year old still held the advantage when he came to grief and has clearly returned in the form to win races. But again FitzGerald has played a waiting game, allowing him plenty of time to recuperate from the effects of that fall before returning him to the fray.

The trainer looks to have found him an ideal opportunity today when Rustic Air races off the same mark as at Nottingham on a course more likely to suit his front run fling style.

Jenny Pitman rarely leaves Leicester empty handed and she should land the opening Great Glen Novices' chase with Jibber The Kibber who is worth forgiving, a modest effort last time when he reportedly broke a blood vessel.

Here Comes Herbie is one to look out for at Catterick where he is dropped in class for the Middleham Novices' Claiming Hurdle. The four year old has shown distinct promise in better company on two outings to date over hurdles, staying on well under considerate handling each time.

He is open to enough improvement to suggest he's worth backing for this modest contest, in which n market move in his favour would be particularly significant.

Dancing Jack can make light of bottom weight in the Walter Raleigh Handicap at Lingfield. He has run well in three five furlong races to date his year but each time left the impression that a return to this furlong longer trip would be in his favour.