Horse racing (From Cotswold Journal)

Horse racing

6:00am Friday 22nd March 2013 in Sport

TWO fancied horses came home for leadng Temple Guiting trainer Jonjo O’Neill.

Blackwell Synergy (15-8 joint-favourite) won by six lengths at Huntingdon, while Upswing (11-10 favourite) triumphed by a smaller margin at Carlisle.

Meanwhile, the O’Neilltrained Alfie Sherrin, owned by JP McManus, is currently the 8-1 joint-favourite with the sponsors for the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on April 1.

• The Giant Bolster could be set for Aintree or Punchestown next month following his fourth place in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The eight-year-old, last year’s surprise runner-up in the same contest, may be joined by stable-mate Wyck Hill who should return from a severe cut for the John Smith’s Grand National.

Stow-on-the-Wold trainer David Bridgwater said of The Giant Bolster: “He seems fine, no worries at all.

“Whether he runs again this season or not, we’ll look forward to next season and Cheltenham will obviously be the main aim again.”

• The Nigel Twiston-Daviestrained Pure Science showed promise in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham Festival.

Although no match for the impressive Irish winner Briar Hill, the five-year-old, priced at 33-1 and ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies, came from nearly last to finish sixth. He is related to some classy Flat performers.

Master Of The Sea (10-1) was fourth for Twiston- Davies in the Coral Cup.