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Trainer Jonjo O’Neill combined with Liscarroll’s Richie McLernon to take the 10 runner Southwell Golf Club Maiden Hurdle (C4) at Southwell – one of the highlights from Week 12 racing action.

WEEK 12: MONDAY, 16 MARCH – SUNDAY, 22 MARCH

We have 8 winners combined to report on from 6 individuals in the UK this week. We feature winners from natives of Castletownroche (3), Liscarroll (2), Killeagh (1), Mitchelstown (1) and Freemount (1). Our combined total for 2015 now sits on 109 winners.

MONDAY, MARCH 16TH (winners 102, 103 & 104)

Castletownroche native and trainer, Jonjo O'Neill combined with Liscarroll native and jockey, Richie McLernon, recording their 94th and 15th winners of the season respectively, with Optimistic Bias (4/1), who took the 10 runner Southwell Golf Club Maiden Hurdle (C4), over 20.5f, at Southwell. Coming into this race off the back of a solid debut second over hurdles at Market Rasen, behind a subsequent winner, this six year old gelded son of Sayarshan looked to have more than a fighting chance in this open looking contest.

Weak enough in the market, Optimistic Bias tracked the early fair pace, set by Welcome Bach, always travelling well in McLernon's hands and looking the most likely winner a long way from home. Taking closer order and looking a menace over five out, where a new leader prevailed in the shape of That’s My Rabbit, Optimistic Bias led narrowly over two out and forged clear after jumping the last for an easy looking three and three quarter length win. That’s My Rabbit held on well for second, with a further one and a half lengths back to Get Involved in third.

Recording his first win, Optimistic Bias looks a horse full of promise going forward and will possibly be kept going through the summer months with this being only the third race of his career. Richie McLernon, speaking to The Avondhu, said, "Optimistic Bias jumped really well for just his second start over hurdles and improved from his first run at Market Rasen."

Mitchelstown native and conditional jump jockey, Paul O'Brien, rode his second winner of the season and 11th in total, aboard the Colin Tizzard trained, Wizards Bridge (5/2f), who won the 8 runner Bathwick Tyres Handicap Hurdle (C4), over 24.5f, at Taunton. Already a maiden hurdle winner of some promise, this six year old gelded son of Alflora had finished fourth behind subsequent Cheltenham and Fred Winter Hurdle winner, Qualando, last time out, at Exeter.

Back in handicap company and stepped back up in trip, Wizards Bridge tracked the early gallop, set by Spring Steel, who sailed along in front at a good even pace. Pushed along by O'Brien nearing the halfway point, Wizards Bridge grabbed hold of the bit again and took closer order going well enough over four out. With Spring Steel giving way to new leader Giveitachance, Wizards Bridge took his turn to challenge for the lead going down over two out. Duly heading the field running down to the final obstacle, Wizards Bridge began to firstly edge right and then drift markedly left under pressure after jumping the last, before going on to win, all out, by a head, from the strong finishing, The Road Ahead. It was a further three and a half lengths back to Giveitachance in third.

Recording his second win and first in handicap company from just 8 starts, Wizards Bridge looks a real future chasing type and should have little trouble in being competitive again once reassessed by the handicapper. O'Brien continues to impress in the saddle and will no doubt be given plenty of opportunities to shine from the well respected yard of Colin Tizzard, where the young conditional is based.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19TH (105)

Freemount native and conditional jump jockey, Conor Ring, recorded his 8th winner of the season, aboard the Evan Williams trained Armchair Theatre (9/2), who went onto take the 9 runner Ludlow Point-To-Point National Hunt Flat Race (C5), over 16f, at Ludlow.

Bidding to follow up his January debut course and distance win, this five year old gelded son of King's Theatre, had the burden of an additional penalty to overcome in this fair looking contest. Held up early by Ring, off a reasonable gallop set by Kerisper, Armchair Theatre settled and travelled well, making stealthy progress towards the leaders fully five furlongs from home. With Kerisper still going great guns in front passing the three pole, Ring asked his mount for more effort and ridden to challenge well over two furlongs out, Armchair Theatre came upsides the game Kerisper well inside the final furlong, eventually edging ahead with 100yds to go.

Staying on strongly, Armchair Theatre went onto score by one and a half lengths from Kerisper. It was a further four and a half lengths back to Desertmore Hill in third.

Now two for two, Armchair Theatre looks a very useful recruit and will be of great interest once seen over hurdles. He cost €20,000 as a three year old and is a full brother to the very useful, Willie Austin trained, Blacklough, himself a four time winner and blacktype performer.

Conor Ring, speaking to The Avondhu, said "Armchair Theatre travelled very well through the race and was impressive under his penalty. He's a bright horse for the future."

FRIDAY, MARCH 20TH (106 & 107)

Killeagh native and flat jockey, Liam Keniry, rode his 14th winner of 2015 aboard the Paul Burgoyne trained, West Leake (14/1), who took the 9 runner Ladbrokes Handicap (C6), over 8f, at Lingfield Park.

Fresh from a near two month absence and with his regular cheekpieces removed, this nine year old gelded son of Acclamation was bidding to end a 24 race losing run. Held up off a scorching pace set by the usual trailblazing Bertie Blu Boy, West Leake settled in up the inside of runners, always travelling well within himself. Edging slowly off the rail into a challenging position, as Bertie Blu Boy began to come back to the field, West Leake swung off the home turn in about fifth place. Ridden strongly on straightening up for home, Keniry got a huge response from the veteran handicapper. Storming home down the centre of the track, West Leake brought two other runners with him. Inseparable with 50yds to go, three horses, West Leake, Benandonner and Shifting Star, hit the line together, with little less than a head between the three. Going to the judge, West Leake was called the winner by a nose, from Benandonner, with a further head back to Shifting Star in third.

A thrilling finish saw West Leake record his 10th win in total, with 9 of those wins coming with Liam Keniry in the saddle. With his last win coming in February 2013, it is hoped that this likeable Rathbarry Stud bred gelding doesn't have to wait too long for his next visit to the winners enclosure.

Liam Keniry, speaking to The Avondhu, said, "It was nice to win on West Leake again as he's getting on now and doesn't find winning easy these days. He's been a great servant to me."

Jonjo O'Neill recorded his second winner of the week and 95th of the season, with the Tommie O'Brien ridden, Twirling Magnet (1/1f), who won the 9 runner BJP Insurance Brokers Hunter Chase (C6) over 24f at Newbury. Coming here off the back of an emphatic Ludlow win last time out, this nine year old gelded son of Imperial Ballet was sent off an expected warm favourite to take care of this useful field of veterans. Ridden up or disputing the lead most of the way with Vincitore, Twirling Magnet always travelled with ease and although his jumping was unconvincing at times, he was able to forge clear of his field smoothly going to four out. A mistake at that fence didn't cost him much momentum and if anything, he began to idle in front after jumping the third last.

Well in command over the last two fences, Twirling Magnet was kept up to his work on the run-in, going onto win easily by some four lengths from Ballytober. It was a further one and a half lengths back to Vincitore in third.

Recording his 7th win from 23 starts, this Mrs Gay Smith owned gelding looks well at home in this class of contest. Rated 140 over fences, he looks a hunter to be reckoned with going forward into the bigger summer racing festivals.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21ST (108 109)

Richie McLernon was back in the winners enclosure for the second time, with his 16th winner of the season, aboard the Johnny Farrelly trained Qulinton (11/2), who took the 5 runner Stratford Bookmakers Day Handicap Chase (C4), over 28f, at Stratford. Bidding for his second course win, after winning a handicap hurdle off an 11lb lower mark last May, this 11 year old gelded son of Bulington was allowed to dictate this race from the front and never looked like relinquishing that advantage as the race progressed. Going clear to three out, as Musical Wedge tried in vain to close him down, Qulinton was not for catching and he jumped the last two fences with this race well in the bag. Ridden out up the run-in, the Bob Whitby owned veteran won convincingly by some seven lengths, from Musical Wedge back in second place.

Recording his 8th win from a mark of 107, this former Listed Chase winner looked to enjoy dominating this small field. The stewards inquired into the apparent improvement in form, with Qulinton having pulled up last time out. His trainer was quick to point out that this smaller field and front running tactics brought about a reversal of fortunes. A similar contest would not be out of reach for the former David Pipe trained winner.

Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding recorded his 50th winner of the season aboard the Tim Easterby trained, Tiptoeaway (8/1), who won the 8 runner Ashley Bank Investments Handicap Chase (C3) over 17f, at Kelso. Unfortunately there was a sad postscript to this event as Tiptoeaway, having recorded his 7th win from just 22 starts, tragically collapsed and died after crossing the winning line. He was a credit to all connected and had recently been rejuvenated with blinkers applied. Harding had won on the Insan gelding on five occasions from just 11 rides and he will no doubt be sorely missed back at Easterby's Great Habton yard.

Combined UK flat/jumps 2015 = 109.

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