16/1 shot Samstown give Harding big winner

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16/1 shot Samstown give Harding big winner

The biggest win of the season thus far for Brian Harding, when claiming a grade 2 at Haydock Park on Samstown, while there were winners also for Shane Quinlan, Martin Lane and David O’Meara.

Barry O’Neill

Tuesday, 27 January 2015
4:35 PM GMT



WEEK 3: MONDAY, 12 JANUARY- SUNDAY, 18 JANUARY

Avondhu area locals competing in the UK recorded 4 winners during Week 3, the highlight of which was evergreen Castletownroche native and jump jockey Brian Harding, taking the Grade 2 Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock Park, aboard Samstown, last Saturday. We also feature winners from Fermoy, Kilworth and Glanworth natives. Our combined total for 2015 now sits on 15 winners.

HARDING'S DREAM SEASON CONTINUES IN PETER MARSH

Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding, recorded the 40th and biggest winner of his season, aboard the Elizabeth Ferguson, Alistair Whillans trained, Samstown (16/1), who took the Grade 2 Peter Marsh Chase (C1 Hcap), over 25f, at Haydock Park on January 17th last.

Coming here off the back of a disappointing run at Cheltenham last time out, when reportedly suffering from a breathing problem, this eight year old gelded son of Kingsalsa was dropped out early doors by Harding, off a contested lead, which saw a mad dash to the first fence, with no less than four horses vying for prime position. A slow jump at the second fence put Samstown further in rear and he was in danger of getting outpaced and detached quiet early on in proceedings.

With the head of the field finally sorting itself out, Amigo won the battle for the right to lead, jumping the third fence just ahead of Corrin Wood. With four horses again upsides over the fourth, already it could be said that this race was going to be a gruelling test of stamina and maybe out the rear, hunting up the field, was the best place to be.

Turning for home first time around and Samstown was notably detached in last and received a reminder after jumping the sixth fence. Past the winning post and no less than five horses were in a line, in front, going out on the final circuit and it was only a matter of time before the strong pace would test the pacesetters. Over the ninth and Toby Lerone was now a definite leader from Corrin Wood, as all the while Samstown and Harding were going about their job quietly, creeping into the race.

Another change of lead at the 12th fence saw No Planning take over from Corrin Wood, with Samstown now into seventh place as the rest of the field struggled to cope with conditions. Turning for home, No Planning and Toby Lerone battled again for the lead as Vintage Star came up their inside to become the new leader over the fourth last. Harding now had hope that the leaders would come back to him quickly and moved steadily into fifth place, only five lengths off the leader. With Benbens joining in to make it a five horse war down to three out, it was Samstown who caught the eye, eating up ground to move into a challenging position in second place behind Vintage Star.

Taking up the lead down to two out, it looked as if Harding had timed his run to perfection, going clear over the final fence and looking home and hosed. But the longer Samstown was in front the more likely he was to idle and so it proved, as Benbens began to bear down on the leader half way up the run-in.

Needing the line, Samstown was all out to hold on from Benbens by just a neck, with a further 24 lengths back to Vintage Star in third. Recording his third chase win from just nine starts, Samstown looks to do things his own way. He was winning here off 135, a full 10lb higher than his last winning mark and there is no doubt this race set up for his style of running.

Harding, enjoying his best season numbers wise, continues to push the limits of his fitness and at one point in a post race interview he stated he considered pulling up the horse. Brian Harding, winning rider, went onto say, "Samstown has gone and won it and I nearly pulled up again. He couldn't go the speed so I didn't force it and he's jumped great to pick them off."

BERLUSCA KICK STARTS 2015 IN DRAMATIC FASHION FOR O'MEARA

Fermoy native and trainer, David O'Meara, recorded his first winner of 2015 in dramatic fashion, with the Danny Tudhope ridden, Berlusca (9/2), who subsequently dead-heated with Warfare (5/2), in the 7 runner Coral Handicap (C4), over 9.5f, at Wolverhampton on January 15th last, only to be awarded the race in the stewards room a short time later. With Warfare deemed to have caused enough interference in the closing stages by hanging into Berlusca, the course stewards thought it correct to award the full race to the Peter Ball owned gelding, demoting the unlucky Warfare to second place in the process.

Winning for the sixth time at Wolverhampton, this six year old son of Holy Roman Emperor has an empirical record at the track, now winning for the first time on the new tapeta surface.

Well away, Tudhope immediately restrained his mount into last position up the inside rail, as firstly Hanalei Bay (5/1) and then the free going Chapter And Verse took on, what looked a solid early pace. With the field somewhat stretched passing the half way point, Chapter And Verse was stalked to the outside by race favourite Off The Pulse (9/4f), as Warfare tanked along just in behind.

Still in last position three furlongs from home, Tudhope made his move going to two out, switching Berlusca off the inside and coming wide to make his challenge turning into the home straight. With Warfare now at the head of affairs and Off The Pulse dispatched, Berlusca began to eat up the ground on straightening up for home. Joining Warfare at the half furlong pole, Berlusca looked to be getting the upperhand as the line approached. Inseparable as they passed the winning post, both horses hit the line together and it was impossible to distinguish the winner. With a dead-heat called, more drama was to follow as a stewards enquiry was called. With little evidence of interference from the side on, it was a surprise to most to see Warfare demoted to second place, taking the gloss off a great contest and finish. No complaints from the O'Meara camp though as they march on into 2015.

Berlusca was winning here from a mark of 82, three pound higher than his last winning mark and he looks as good as ever on this evidence. He may well return to the track on his highest ever mark once reassessed by the handicapper.

Danny Tudhope, winning rider, went onto say, "They went a nice strong gallop and that suited Berlusca."

STEEL REACHES SUMMIT NUMBER FOUR UNDER QUINLAN

Glanworth native and conditional jump jockey, Shane Quinlan, recorded his second winner in the UK aboard the David Dennis trained, Steel Summit (5/4f), who took the seven runner John Deere Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (C4), over 19f, at Market Rasen on January 15th last.

Coming into this race off the back of a three timer, this six year old gelded son of Craigsteel was bidding to win his fourth race in the space of just three weeks and although running here with a double penalty, he still had 10lb in hand of his future official rating of 120. Setting off upsides a line of four horses who jumped the first two flights in unison, Quinlan was happy to sit on the girth of Wayward Frolic (9/2), who shook off the early attentions of the pace horses and duly strode on with Steel Summit for company. Passing the winning post with a full circuit to go and both leaders had put some daylight between themselves and the chasing pack, looking for all intent and purposes to have the race between them going over the fifth from home. Anxious to keep the pace up, Quinlan took a slight advantage over the fourth from home, but a mistake saw Wayward Frolic back in front over three out.

Travelling much the best, Steel Summit strode on down to the end of the back straight, going four lengths up on a rapidly weakening Wayward Frolic. Turning for home and only one challenger came out of the pack in the shape of Running Wolf (9/1), who only briefly looked like making any impression on the leader. Stoked up by Quinlan over two out, Steel Summit went clear with every stride going down over the last flight, which he popped nicely. Tanking up the run-in, Quinlan was afforded a long look over his shoulder which confirmed he was well clear and heavily eased to the line, Steel Summit completed the four timer in devastating fashion, winning by 18 lengths at the post from Running Wolf back in second place.

Recording his 6th win in total and going up 24lb since the first week in January, Steel Summit looks to thrive on his racing and it will be interesting to see where he shows up next. He holds three entries on January 23rd, one of which is over fences where his four-timer began. Quinlan, whose first UK winner came at Cheltenham aboard Roman Flight back in October, was riding his third winner in total, on this, his 13th ride and looks to be a young jockey going places. He is also based at David Dennis's, Hanley Swan, Worcestershire yard, a trainer who will no doubt utilise the talented Glanworth man's claim in future races.

Shane Quinlan, speaking to The Avondhu, went onto say, "It was great that I got the call-up to ride the in form horse and even better to continue his winning streak".

SYMBOLIC HAS STAR POTENTIAL UNDER LANE

Kilworth native and flat jockey, Martin Lane, rode his second winner of 2015 aboard the Godolphin owned, Charlie Appleby trained, Symbolic Star (4/9f), who went onto take the 12 runner Ladbroke Maiden Stakes (C5), over 7f, at Wolverhampton on January 16th last.

Making a belated return to the track after a highly promising third in a Newmarket maiden back in May, this three year old New Approach colt, was all the rage to win, on this, his all weather debut. Anxious to stay well clear of trouble in a big field, Lane's mount broke well and settled nicely into third place just off the early leader, Takahiro (50/1). Off an even pace, Symbolic Star was sighted travelling smoothly in Lane's hands, as he bided his time and waited to bounce well past the halfway point. Hemmed in somewhat on the inside, Lane had to wait for an out and suddenly found himself outpaced going into the final turn. Now back in fourth position as Longfield (4/1) and Sciustree (18/1) swept around his outside, Lane had little doubt that a huge gap would appear up the inside rail as the leaders fanned out six wide into the home straight.

Once in the clear, Symbolic Star had little trouble picking up Longfield and Sciustree. Scooting some three to four lengths clear of his floundering rivals well inside the final furlong, this home bred Darley colt, galloped effortlessly into an unassailable lead, winning as he liked, eased down by some four lengths. Ziggy's Star (33/1) finished best of all to snatch second from Sciustree right on the line by a short head.

A derby entry, Symbolic Star looks a nice type and may want stepping up in distance. He comes from a good family which included a half sister, Synopsis, who went on to win at Group 3 level, in France, for Andre Fabre. Charlie Appleby has his horses in tremendous form, this being his 10th winner from 21 starters in January alone. Symbolic Star is in the right hands to realise his full potential and hopefully won't need another eight months off after this run.

FOX LOOKS ROCK SOLID FOR HESKIN

Special mention this week to Kilworth jockey, Adrian Heskin, who took the feature Leopardstown Chase (Grade A), aboard the Ted Walsh trained, Foxrock, for owner Barry Connell. Heskin is taking his new role as number one jockey to Connell in his stride and the Hennessy looks a likely option for the gelded son of Beeches Stud stallion, Flemensfirth. Avondhu man Ted Walsh went onto say, "He quickened up well and ran to the line. He's finished in handicaps and if he's fresh and well, he might run in the Hennessy or maybe the Bobbyjo chase."

UK Flat/Jumps 2014 = 15.



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