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Castletownroche native Brian Harding recorded an impressive 6 winner haul from Week 44 abroad, bringing his season’s tally to 25.

WEEK 44: 27th OCTOBER - 2nd NOVEMBER 2014

Another 7 winners to report on from Avondhu area locals in the UK, with the story of week coming from Castletownroche native, Brian Harding, who recorded no less than 6 of those winners. Our combined total for 2014 now stands on an impressive 409 winners.

SIX UP AS SHADOWS LENGTHEN FOR HARDING

Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding, had a week to remember, riding six winners, including an Ayr treble, which brought his early season total onto the 25 winner mark. His most notable winner came aboard the Mick Easterby trained, Shadows Lengthen (20/1), who took the Listed Bet365 Handicap Chase (C1) over 20.5f, at Wetherby, on October 31st last.

Coming into this race off the back of his customary seasonal debut hurdle run, this eight year old gelded son of Dansili, was held up in rear by Harding, as drama unfolded as early as the first fence, when Doeslessthanme unseated his rider and second favourite, Silver Roque blundered his chance away. Settled in about fifth position up the inside of runners, as first Viva Colonia and then Cedre Bleu led, Shadows Lengthen bided his time, as the field jumped the line of four fences in the home straight without incident, first time around.

Passing the winning post with a circuit to run and Cedre Bleu had now poached a five length lead, as Viva Colonia started to jump markedly right, giving away vital ground in second place, as all the while, Shadows Lengthen was going about his job quietly, popping his fences accurately and travelling well within himself.

Entering the back straight and their point of departure, Cedre Bleu decided to but the brakes on, jumping the first of five fences down the far side, allowing both Viva Colonia and Mwaleshi to close right up and challenge for the lead. With three runners now in line jumping six from home, Harding was sighted with a double handful, stalking the leaders in fifth position. Taking closer order and making smooth headway after jumping the fifth from home, Shadows Lengthen tagged onto the back of the leaders as both Mwaleshi and Cedre Bleu took over at the head of affairs.

With the race now on in earnest as the field lined up to take the final four fences in the home straight, Harding made his move approaching the fourth last. Picking up the leaders easily with a good jump, Shadows Lengthen went from fifth to a share of the lead in a matter of strides running down to the third last. Joining Mwaleshi on jumping that obstacle, Harding strode into the lead easily, never moving a muscle, as his mount galloped clear down to the second last. Another good jump at the penultimate fence sealed the deal as Shadows Lengthen spring-heeled the last, going on to win by an eased down seven lengths, from Off The Ground in second place. It was a further seven lengths back to Viva Colonia in third.

Recording a career best performance here, Shadows Lengthen has now won 13 races from 52 lifetime starts, with all of those wins notably coming on left-handed tracks. He is also a prolific dual purpose horse, with six flat all weather wins in his locker. Winning here off a mark of 131, he may find life tougher in future handicaps, but connections will have many options with such a versatile horse. Brian Harding, winning rider, went onto say, "The race was run to suit him. They went a good gallop, he dropped in and jumped well."

Harding went onto record another five winners in the shape of Chidswell (11/10f), who went on to take the BetVictor Maiden Hurdle (C5), over 20.5f, at Ayr on October 27th for trainer Nicky Richards. This was followed by an Ayr treble on November 1st with, Top Billing (3/1jf), who took the Plumbstore Handicap Hurdle (C4), over 24f; Another Bill (5/2jf), who won the BetVictor NHF Race (C6), over 14f (both horses again trained by Nicky Richards) and the treble was completed by the John Quinn trained, Fisher (9/1), who took the John Smith's Handicap Hurdle (C3), over 16f. Harding's sixth winner came at his local track, Carlisle, when he took the Geoffrey McLean Handicap Hurdle (C2), over 20f, aboard the Nicky Richards trained One For Harry (9/4f).

KENIRY STILL RATTLING IN THE WINNERS

Killeagh native and flat jockey, Liam Keniry, recorded his 58th winner of 2014, aboard the Andrew Balding trained and Mick Mariscotti owned, Rattling Jewel (25/1), who took the 32Red EBF Maiden (C5), over 7f, at Lingfield Park on October 30th last.

Making only his second racecourse start, after showing a hint of ability on debut at Kempton, this two year Royal Applause colt was sent to post an unconsidered contender in this competitive looking maiden. Well away from a wide stall position in 11, Rattling Jewel was soon in front, dictating the early pace and setting steady to even fractions.

Soon to halfway and Rattling Jewel bounded downhill on the far side travelling well within himself, stalked all the while by Longside and race favourite Hills And Dales. Slowly winding up the pace inside the final two furlongs, Keniry made a decisive move, kicking on entering the final home turn, gaining what looked like first run on his rivals on straightening up for home. With Hills And Dales now in full flight and honing in on Rattling Jewel, Keniry asked for maximum effort as he was joined by the Godolphin trained juvenile, well inside the last half a furlong. All out, Rattling Jewel showed a game attitude, finding that bit more when challenged, to repel Hills And Dales by just a neck at the line. It was a further one and three quarter lengths back to Wind In My Sails in third.

Stepping up considerably on his debut, the Kingsclere inmate can now go on to better things. A 75,000gns yearling, Rattling Jewel's dam is a half sister to Group 2 Park Hill winner, Ranin. Liam Keniry, winning rider, went onto say, "He's improved a lot and had been working nicely before his debut. But he needed that and it brought him on. He showed a lovely attitude when challenged."

UK flat/jumps 2014 = 402; Dubai = 3; Ireland = 2; Canada = 1; France = 1.

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