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Paddy Power Gold Cup success for trainer Jonjo O’Neill and jockey Richie McLernon, the highlight during week 46.

WEEK 46 11th-17th NOVEMBER, 2013

Another cracking week for locals with 14 combined winners from 12 individual horses, which included a Paddy Power Gold Cup for Jonjo O'Neill and Richie McLernon.

SPIRIT LIFTS PADDY POWER FOR McLERNON

Liscarroll native and jump jockey, Richie McLernon, recorded one of the biggest wins of his career aboard the Jonjo O'Neill trained, Johns Spirit (7/1), in the Grade 3 Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase, over 2m5f, at Cheltenham on November 16th last.

Returning to the scene of his latest win, off a 10Lb higher mark, this six year son of Gold Well was set his stiffest task to date. Well touted and supported in this ultra competitive 20-runner contest, McLernon took the brave man's route, dropping his mount out last early doors. Sighted jumping and travelling well to the outside of runners, McLernon made his move going to the fourth last. Picking off runners one by one and with the leader Hidden Cyclone (20/1) firmly in range, Johns Spirit made his challenge down the outside coming to the second last. With Easter Meteor (20/1) now in front, McLernon didn’t want to get there too soon. But faith drew his hand with Easter Meteor crashing out at the second last, leaving McLernon in front between the last two fences.

Kicking on for home with little choice, Johns Spirit popped the last well and set off up the long climb home. Idling in front and with the noise deafening, McLernon, head down, got behind his mount and duly carried him home for a three quarters of a length win, from the staying on Colour Squadron (12/1), back in second place. It was a further one and a half lengths back to Hidden Cyclone, in third position.

Johns Spirit now looks a serious chaser and it will be interesting to see what the handicapper will do on reassessing him. Only a six year old, he has time on his side and will undoubtedly be back at Cheltenham next month for the December Gold Cup.

Richie McLernon, speaking to The Avondhu, went onto say, "All went to plan Saturday, he settled, travelled and jumped well. Jonjo filled me with confidence before I went out and I had a smooth run around. I'm delighted for the little horse, as he has a big heart. It was a great team effort and a fantastic day for the yard."

McLernon went onto ride a further two winners last week. The first of those wins was again for his boss Jonjo O'Neill, aboard Another Hero (1/1f), in a class 4 novice hurdle, over 2m1f, at Sedgefield on November 12th last. This was the four year son of Kalanisi's fifth win from just seven starts and he looks a smashing sort. McLernon's third and final winner came aboard the Helen Nelmes trained, Orvita (16/1), in a class 5 handicap hurdle, over 3m3f at Fontwell on November 17th last. This 11 year old gelding had only one previous win to his name and pulled up on his four previous starts. Cruising into the lead at the second last, he never looked in any danger thereafter. Testing ground conditions and a return to hurdling definitely aided this fellow and proves again that age is no barrier for success.

Castletownroche native and trainer, Jonjo O'Neill, continues in cracking form and he added another four winners last week, taking his season’s tally to 91.

His additional two winners, both ridden by Tony McCoy, were Taquin Du Seuil (3/1), who took the scalp of former top class hurdler, Oscar Whisky (4/6f), in a class 2 novice chase, over 2m5f at Cheltenham on November 15th last. This six year old son of Voix De Nord, is now two from two over fences, despite carrying a penalty here and looks likely to be aimed at Cheltenham's festival fixture in March next year. He certainly has more options now, having previously shown a liking for heavy ground conditions. With the ground good here, he could be top notch over further again and at least is now proven at the track.

O'Neill's fourth and final winner came with Tigresse Bleue (5/1), in a class 4 handicap hurdle, over 2m6f at Huntingdon on November 12th last. Recording her first win over hurdles, having previously won on the flat in France, Tigresse Bleue won with any amount in hand here, on this her seasonal debut. She still has the option to keep to novice company and it’s hard to say what she had left in the tank, if asked a serious question by McCoy here. Again, what the handicapper does with her mark of 105 will be very interesting indeed.

SHARAARAH LOOKS CLASS ACT FOR O'MEARA

Fermoy native and trainer, David O'Meara, has had a quieter than usual last few weeks, but he was back with a bang, with four winners last week.

O'Meara's most notable winner came with Sharaarah (6/1), in a class 4 handicap, over 5f at Southwell on November 14th. Ridden for the first time by stable apprentice, David Bergin, this three year old daughter of Oasis Dream, was bidding to follow up over course and distance, in first time blinkers. Not drawn ideally in stall 8 close to the stands rail in this 9-runner contest, Sharaarah broke well and tracking the early pacesetter, Bapak Sayang (16/1), travelled smoothly in Bergin's hands, to gather in the leader fully two furlongs out. Well in command inside the final furlong, Sharaarah never looked in any trouble and the result was beyond doubt at the one pole. Staying on strongly, O'Meara's charge went onto win by an easy looking one length, from Rambo Will (8/1), back in second place.

A 25,000gns purchase, by Middleham Park Racing back in October 2012, Sharaarah is a well bred half sister to Group placed Burwaaz and has now recorded four wins from 17 starts. She looks a very versatile filly, having now won from 5 to 6 furlongs, on surfaces varying from turf, polytrack and fibresand. She will be very much of interest if showing up at Southwell again in the near future and isn't far off listed class on this evidence.

David Bergin, winning jockey, went onto say, "Sharaarah is a sweet filly who has been on the go since day one. She likes it here and is now two from two on the surface."

O'Meara's three other winners all came on the same day, Saturday, November 16th. Those winners were, Tabaayun (5/2f), in a class 6 claimer over 1m, at Lingfield Park, with Danny Tudhope aboard; Pim Street (16/1), in a class 6 handicap over 9f, at Wolverhampton, with Julie Burke aboard and finally, Dansili Dutch (11/1) in a class 6 handicap over 9f, also at Wolverhampton, with David Nolan in the saddle. Pim Street was having her first start for the O'Meara team, having come from Willie McCreery's in Ireland. She is owned by the Dundalk Racing Club, who followed the same route when racking up three wins with their filly, Monakova. O'Meara now moves onto a remarkable 131 winners for 2013.

SWEET 'TUTCH' FOR HARDING AT CARLISLE

Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding, shows no signs of stopping and he again recorded a brace of winners last week, bringing his early season total to nine winners.

Harding's most notable win came aboard the Nicky Richards trained, Tutchec (4/1) in a class 4 handicap chase over 2m4f, at Carlisle, on November 11th. Bidding to follow up his previous course and distance win, after an inspired ride from Tony McCoy in October, this six year son of Turgeon showed no ill effects, making virtually all the running, for an impressive looking four length win.

Making light of his 9lb penalty, Richard's charge was recording his third win from just nine starts over fences and looks a highly progressive sort.

With slowing ground conditions helping his jumping, Tutchec looks a totally different proposition over the larger obstacles. His pedigree suggests he may not get much further than 2m4f. His mother is a half sister to Arkle and Champion 2m Chase winner Azertyuiop and previous tries over 3m have failed in the past. Tutchec will no doubt feel the wrath of the handicapper on reassessment after this romp. Currently rated 106, I suspect his next run will be nearer a mark of 116, which won't make life any easier.

Nicky Richards, winning trainer, went onto say, "You won’t see the best of this horse until he is eight years old. He is an old-fashioned horse and he is only a baby. He will get three miles."

Harding's second winner again came for Nicky Richards, this time aboard Chidswell (9/1), in a class 6 national hunt flat race over 2m, at Newcastle, on November 15th. Making his racecourse debut, this four year son of Goldwell, knew his job well and duly kept on strongly, to score by half a length from Degooch (4/1), back in second place.

Looking to have plenty of scope for improvement, this horse could be anything long term if keeping right and is already the apple of his trainer’s eye. Nicky Richards, winning trainer, went onto say, "He's a big, beautiful baby, a proper horse. I could show you a video of him jumping and I'd swear I could run him in a novice chase next week, he's that good."

LANE CONTINUES TO IMPRESS FOR GODOLPHIN

Kilworth native and flat jockey, Martin Lane, continued his good form and on another week would have had three or four winners. With five second places recorded, Lane was duly rewarded with a win aboard the Charlie Appleby trained Hawker (6/1), in a class 5 maiden over 1m2f, at Lingfield Park, on November 13th.

Lane's association with the Godolphin trainer has become very rewarding over recent weeks and a 22% win strike rate aboard Appleby trained horses is testament to that.

Sent to post second choice of the Godolphin pair, Hawker was recording his first win on this, his third start. Held up in rear early doors, Lane was content to bide his time, on this three year old son of Street Cry. Switching from the rail off the home bend, Lane got the desired gap and storming through, hit the front inside the final furlong, only to be challenged instantly by Vermont (3/1) down the outside. Head to head inside the last 100yds, Hawker responded well to Lane's urgings and always seemed to be holding Vermont, the winning margin a short head at the line.

A progressive type, Hawker has the pedigree to go onto better things. A Darley home bred and a half brother to group 1 winner Cutlass Bay, it would be no surprise to see him step up into better company next season. He may also be a horse to thrive in Dubai this coming winter. Martin Lane, winning jockey, went onto say, "He was very green here last time, so I took my time and produced him late. He really battled on as Vermont was coming back at him."

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