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WEEK 49 DEC 2nd-8th, 2013
This week, although quieter than usual with three winners, was all about Castletownroche natives, Jonjo O'Neill and Brian Harding.
DE BOITRON TOO CLASSY FOR RIVALS UNDER HARDING
Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding, recorded yet another two winners in the saddle last week. His most notable win came aboard the Sue Smith trained De Boitron (8/1), in a class 3 handicap chase over 2m at Wetherby, on December 7th last.
Making his debut for the yard off the back of a 181 day lay off, this 9 year old son of Sassanian, was thought to need further than this 2m trip, but a strong pace ensured that stamina would come to the fore late on. With only five rivals to contend with, Harding was happy to bide his time in last position. Steadily creeping into the race from the halfway point, De Boitron travelled strongly and jumped well.
Turning into the home straight and none were going better than the French bred gelding. Joining the early leaders, Rouge Et Blance (8/1) and Claragh Native (9/1) to the outside at the third last, Harding was anxious not to get there too soon. Still upsides both rivals coming to the second last, De Boitron only needed a good jump at the last to seal the faith of both his rivals. Tanking coming to the last, Harding got that desired good leap and landing two lengths clear, fairly bounded home up the run-in, for a comfortable looking three and a half length win. Claragh Native plugged on for second, with Rouge Et Blance taking a clear third.
Recording his eighth win in total, seven of which are now over fences, De Boitron seems to have found a new lease of life at Smith's yard. Winning here off a mark of 138, having been rated as high as 150 in the past, De Boitron has plenty of speed in his pedigree, being a half brother to this year’s Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak winner, Tac De Boistron and it would be no surprise to see him kept to this kind of distance in future races.
Harding's second winner came aboard the Willie Amos trained Prince Blackthorn (5/1), in a class 5 handicap chase over 2m4f at Sedgefield, on December 3rd last.
Recording his first win, on this his 17th start, this 7 year old son of Desert Prince was having just his third chase start and seems to have benefited from the experience of two previous runs over the larger obstacles. Held up by Harding, Prince Blackthorn was sighted travelling strongly between his fences and taking closer order at the fourth last, he led before the second last. Going clear of his rivals to the last, Harding just had to push out his mount up the run-in, to win going away by some four lengths.
Only rated a lowly 69 here, Prince Blackthorn looks to have some scope to follow up this win and it would be no surprise to see him make a quick reappearance under a mandatory penalty in the next week or so.
BANDIT WELL ARMED FOR DEBUT
Castletownroche native and trainer, Jonjo O'Neill, had a quieter than usual week, recording one winner in the shape Bandit Country (6/4jf), in a class 6 bumper over 2m1f, at Market Rasen, on December 5th last.
Ridden by Tony McCoy, this four year old gelded son of Rathbarry Stud stallion Flemensfirth, was making his racecourse debut in this five runner contest. Tracking the early pacesetter Degooch (6/4jf), Bandit Country travelled well throughout this contest. With the race on in earnest from three furlongs out, McCoy found himself going best, but in danger of been hemmed in on the inside rail, as Frampton (11/4) and Noel Fehily challenged down his outside.
With both Degooch and Frampton now coming under a ride, the gap appeared and McCoy seized the opportunity to come between runners. Sitting motionless, Bandit Country was asked to go about his job and duly quickened clear past his toiling rivals, going onto win by four and a half lengths at the line. Degooch held onto second place for Donald McCain and Jason Maguire.
A €50,000 three year old, Bandit Country is owned in partnership by Fermoy native and Coolmore boss John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor. He is out of a full sister to Grade 3 Coral Cup Hurdle winner, Son Of Flicka and should progress nicely when presented to a hurdle in the near future.
Tony McCoy, winning jockey, went onto say, "He is quite a nice horse and did it well. It rode like a nice race and there should be winners to come out of it."
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