12/1 shot Closing Ceremony takes 6 runner Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock

By
znR
-

Avondhupress.ie uses cookies. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Click here to find out more or Close

Columns

12/1 shot Closing Ceremony takes 6 runner Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock

2015 is certainly coming good for area connections, with a total of 59 winners to date abroad – the most notable during Week 7 being Castletownroche native, Jonjo O’Neill.

Barry O’Neill

Tuesday, 24 February 2015
8:15 PM GMT



WEEK 7: MONDAY, 9th FEB. – SUNDAY, 15th FEB.

14 winners combined to report on from Avondhu area locals based in the UK. This week we feature a Grade 2 hurdle win for Liscarroll (2) native, Richie McLernon, plus winners from natives of Castletownroche (8), Kilworth (2), Rockmills (1) and Freemount (1). Our combined total for 2015 now sits on 59 winners.

CEREMONY CLOSES OUT GRADE 2 RENDLESHAM WIN UNDER McLERNON

Liscarroll native and jump jockey, Richie McLernon, bagged two winners last week and recorded one of the biggest wins of his career, aboard the Emma Lavelle trained, Closing Ceremony (12/1), who took the 6 runner Rendlesham Hurdle (C1 G2), over 24f, at Haydock on February 14th last.

Coming into this race two from two, over course and distance, this six year old gelded son of Flemensfirth had 19lb to find on the exposed race favourite At Fishers Cross and Tony McCoy. Jumping off in front, McLernon made his intentions clear from the outset and setting a good pace, he was joined early on by Milansbar, in what looked a fascinating contest. Slick jumping is what Closing Ceremony is all about and he gained ground at every flight, whilst others looked awkward. A bunching field passed the winning post, off the paddock turn, first time around, with Milansbar again pressing Closing Ceremony going down to the 7th flight of hurdles. Another accurate jump there confirmed Closing Ceremony's lead and pushing on, McLernon turned on the taps after another brilliant jump four out.

With three horses breaking clear at the top of the home turn, it was At Fishers Cross who got the first reminder from McCoy, as Seeyouatmidnight looked to loom large down his outside. With all to play for, Closing Ceremony was joined by Seeyouatmidnight over the next two flights, with At Fishers Cross now toiling back in third. Jumping the last in unison, it was Closing Ceremony who showed a huge attitude, finding more each time McLernon asked. Staying on strongly, the High Altitude Partners’ owned gelding had two and three quarter lengths to spare at the line from Seeyouatmidnight.

Now four from nine over hurdles and keeping his unbeaten Haydock record intact, Closing Ceremony may now show up at the Pertemps Final, at Cheltenham, in March.

McLernon went on to record a second winner with the Jonjo O'Neill trained, Less Time (7/1), who took a Handicap Chase (C4) over 20f, at Market Rasen last Sunday. He now stands on the 12 winner mark for the season.

O'NEILL'S YARD SPRINGS BACK INTO LIFE WITH HOLYWELL

Castletownroche native and trainer, Jonjo O'Neill, has his string back in flying form and recorded no less than six winners from just 11 runners last week, taking his seasonal total onto the 76 winner mark. His most notable winner came with the Tony McCoy ridden, Holywell (1/4f), who took the 4 runner Ian Straker Memorial Chase (C2), over 26f, at Kelso on February 12th last.

Back on a recovery mission after blundering his way around Aintree and unseating rider last time out, this eight year old gelded son of Gold Well was given a good opportunity to get back to winning ways, being almost thirty pounds clear of his rivals on the book. With blinkers back on, Holywell set out to make all under a positive ride and after an early tardy jump at the very first fence, McCoy got his jumping together as this race progressed at a steady early pace. Passing the winning post first time round and the David O'Meara trained, Rose Of The Moon, headed Holywell briefly.

Back in front after jumping the first going out into the country, Holywell bounded some six lengths clear and it seemed he already had his three rivals looking on anxiously past the halfway point. Turning the screw entering the home straight for the second time, it was only fences that now stood in the way of certain victory, as an enthusiastic Holywell looked to be enjoying himself out in front.

Going out on the final circuit and Rose Of The Moon already looked reluctant to chase the leader as Diocles and Brian Harding took up the chase. Galloping on relentlessly over three out, Holywell entered the top of the home stretch full of running with the race there for the taking. Going well clear, he popped the last two fences and sauntered up the long run-in for an easy 25 length win. Fentara won the battle for second place, with Diocles back in third.

Recording his 5th chase win from just 10 starts, Holywell will now be aimed at the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

O'Neill went onto record a further five winners. They were the Tony McCoy ridden, Sebastian Beach (8/11f), who won a Juvenile Maiden Hurdle (C5), over 16.5f, at Chepstow on February 11th. This was followed on February 13th by two winners in the shape of the McCoy ridden Capard King (4/9f), who took a Novices' Handicap Hurdle (C4), over 24.5f, at Fakenham and the Paddy Cowley ridden, Ivy Gate (3/1), who scored also in a Novices' Handicap Hurdle (C4) over 20f at Sandown.

Onto February 14th where the Dougie Costello ridden, Oscar Fortune (15/2), took a Novices' Handicap Chase (3) over 21f at Haydock. And last but not least, this was followed on February 15th by the Richie McLernon ridden, Less Time (7/1), who won a Handicap Chase (C4) over 20f, at Market Rasen.

MOREBATTLE WIN PROPELS GLINGER INTO CHELTENHAM MELTING POT

Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding, continues to enjoy a great season, riding a Kelso double for his boss Nicky Richards last week and taking his winning total for the season onto the 43 winner mark. His most notable winner came with Glingerburn (14/5), who went onto take the 5 runner Morebattle Hurdle (C2), over 18f, on February 12th last.

Going to post unbeaten from two starts over hurdles, this seven year old gelded son of King's Theatre, was upped in grade and distance here, for this, his stiffest task to date. Dropped into fourth place early on and keen off a good pace set by Meadowcroft Boy, Glingerburn jumped well early and settled eventually coming up the home straight first time around, where he found himself in last place going out on the last circuit.

Again jumping the next two flights well, Harding was fairly tanking along and taking closer order after jumping three out, he shot up between the smooth travelling Hawk High and Tanerko Emery going equally as well. Rolling off the home turn and galloping down to two out, Harding was motionless in the plate and pinging the second last, he landed in front of a tiring Meadowcroft Boy, with Hawk High still on the premises. Down to the last and Harding gave his mount the hurry up, as he sensed Hawk High coming at him from behind. Ridden out on landing over the final flight, Glingerburn had plenty left in the tank and stayed on strongly to win going away by one and three quarter lengths.

Now unbeaten over hurdles, this James Westoll owned gelding looks an exciting prospect. He holds a Supreme Novice Hurdle entry at Cheltenham and looks open to more improvement. Nicky Richards, winning trainer, said, "Glingerburn is some traveller. He's in at Cheltenham and the Scottish Champion Hurdle. We will keep our options open."

Harding and Richards went onto complete a double on the Kelso card with Warrior's Tale(9/2), who took a Handicap Hurdle (C3), over 22.5f, recording his second hurdle win in the process.

PRIMROSE BLOOMS UNDER TYLICKI

Rockmills native and trainer, Ed Vaughan, recorded his second winner of 2015 with the Freddie Tylicki ridden, Primrose Valley (6/4f), who won the 32Red Handicap (C3), over 6f, at Lingfield on February 14th last.

With a hood retained after winning last time out at Kempton, this three year old daughter of Pastoral Pursuits, looks highly progressive and with that Kempton race producing a winner in Harry Hurricane the previous evening, she was well entitled to go off race favourite for this contest.

Well away from the gate, Tylicki settled his mount into second place, tracking the pace set by main market rival Anonymous John, who took the field along at a good gallop. Taking closer order onto the tail of the leader, Primrose Valley travelled ominously well past halfway and on the turn for home was all but upsides Anonymous John entering the top of the home stretch. Ridden to go upsides and challenge the leader, Primrose Valley had little trouble in getting the measure of the front runner, easily passing her rival and going clear, well inside the final furlong.

Winning readily at the line, this Alan Pickering owned and bred filly, defied a 6lb penalty off a mark of 91 here and looks a treble figure horse in the making. Twice tried in listed company and once at group 3 level, she looks to have developed into a strong filly and will undoubtedly look for black type again in the near future.

Freddie Tylicki holds an impressive strike rate aboard Vaughan trained horses, having now ridden 9 winners from just 23 rides. Ed Vaughan, speaking to The Avondhu, said, "Primrose Valley will have one more run to qualify for the all weather sprint final either on February 27th or March 14th over 5f. It's great to have another serious contender for finals day."

STEADY LANE STEERS MAJOR TO FIRST WIN

Kilworth native and flat jockey, Martin Lane, recorded another two winners in Week 7, taking his 2015 total onto the 8 winner mark. His most notable winner came aboard the David Simcock trained, Steady Major (5/4), who went onto take the 4 runner, Ladbrokes Maiden Stakes (C5), over 8f, at Southwell on February 10th last.

Making his first start on fibresand, this three year old gelded son of Invincible Spirit, was given a good opportunity to break his maiden duck here, taking a drop in grade from a class 4 handicap last time out. Well away and settled into second place behind the early pacesetter, Dark Diamond, Lane kept his mount free from kickback towards the centre of the track. With a good pace ensured, the field bounded past halfway and anxious not to give Dark Diamond too much rope in front, Lane took closer entering the top of the home run, keeping more to the stand side to make his final challenge.

Straightening up for home and Dark Diamond was proving a tough nut to crack, as Steady Major became his only challenger well inside the final two furlongs. With the leader lugging left under pressure, Steady Major slowly but surely started to get on top. Joining Dark Diamond inside the final furlong, Steady Major edged ahead under a strong ride, wearing down the game leader close home. Winning by just a neck in the end, Steady Major was entitled to win this contest on all known previous form. He may be better on polytrack and turf going forward and doesn't look overly big. He holds further entries on February 18th at Lingfield and Kempton.

Lane's second winner came aboard the Heather Main trained, Childesplay (7/1), who took the 32Red Handicap (C6), over 7f at Kempton, on February 11th.

WABANAKI DOES IT EASY UNDER RING

Freemount native and conditional jump jockey, Conor Ring, rode his 6th winner of the season, aboard the Evan Williams trained Wabanaki (10/11f), who took the 5 runner Ashburnham Maiden National Hunt Flat Race (C6), over 16f, at Ffos Las on February 15th last.

Coming into this race off the back of a good second, in a better class bumper, on debut at Ludlow in mid December, this five year old gelded son of Indian River, was sent to post a warm order to take care of these rivals. Dropped out last by Ring, off a slow early gallop, set by Mr Ooosh, Wabanaki settled well in testing ground conditions and bided his time slightly detached, as the race lead changed hands after half a mile. With the giant Clover Park now in front, the pace lifted slightly halfway down the back straight and this became a proper race on the turn into the home straight. With Clover Park kicking a few lengths clear of the field on straightening up, Ring was fully aware of the move and taking closer order, he went from last to second in a matter of strides.

Travelling well passing three out, Wabanaki was stoked up to come alongside Clover Park who now looked all at sea. Passing that rival with ease, Ring, sitting motionless, strode clear of a staying on Chief Brody well inside the final furlong. Drawing further and further clear, Wabanaki won as he liked and eased down, with nine lengths to spare over Chief Brody at the line.

Impressive on the eye, and recording his first win, Wabinaki may well be up to defying a penalty in a similar contest. Conor Ring, speaking to The Avondhu, said, "Wabanaki won easily and he's a nice prospect for the future."

UK flat/jumps 2014 = 59.



blog comments powered by Disqus



RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR