Desert Law lands £100,000 Epsom Dash for Martin Lane

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Desert Law lands £100,000 Epsom Dash for Martin Lane

Week 23 proved memorable for area connections, with Martin Lane landing the £100,000 Epsom Dash on 16/1 shot, Desert Law – while another 9 winners in total were landed across the board.

Barry O’Neill

Tuesday, 16 June 2015
8:25 PM GMT



WEEK 23: MONDAY, 1st JUNE-SUNDAY, 7th JUNE

For the fifth week running we are into double figures, with 10 winners combined from Avondhu area locals based in the UK. Kilworth jockey, Martin Lane, takes the honours this week by winning the £100,000 Epsom Dash on Derby day and added another two winners to boot. Fermoy native, David O'Meara added a further three winners. Castletownroche natives, Jonjo O'Neill and Brian Harding, recorded a winner each, while Rockmills native, Ed Vaughan and Liscarroll jockey, Richie McLernon completed a good week with a winner apiece. Our combined winners for 2015 now stands on 216.

LANE FOUGHT THE DRAW, AND THE LAW WON

Kilworth native and flat jockey, Martin Lane, had a week to remember with three winners, the most notable of which came aboard the Paul Midgley trained, Desert Law (16/1), who went onto take the 20 runner, Investec Corporate Banking Dash (C2 H'cap), over 5f, at Epsom Downs on June 6th last.

Coming into this race off a three year winless drought, this seven year old gelded son of Oasis Dream, had shown hints recently that he was back to somewhere near his best. Having previous form in this race, when finishing second in the 2012 version, Desert Law was quickly away from an apparent disadvantaged draw in one. Lane headed more towards the centre of the track, getting cover early, as the pacesetters set a fast and furious gallop.

Travelling notoriously well to the halfway point, Desert Law was now racing with no cover and if anything, his position helped him keep well clear of trouble from runners on the inside. Never missing a stride, which is vital here, Desert Law loomed large as his stable mate, Monsieur Joe, hit the front well over one furlong from home. Swooping by the leader as if he stood still, Lane had loads of horse and ridden out to the line, Desert Law had a good length to spare over Monsieur Joe back in second place. Boom The Groom was a further neck back in third.

A thrilling win for Lane on Derby Day and a cool ride to boot, earning much praise from many racing professionals. Recording his fourth win in total with a near career best performance, this Taylor Bloodstock owned gelding will possibly be aimed at the Rockingham, at The Curragh. He wouldn't look out of place in pattern sprint company, especially if its back at this track. Bought for £32,000 from Godolphin, Desert Law almost earned double that here and must go down as a shrewd buy.

Martin Lane, speaking to The Avondhu, said, “Desert Law was well handicapped and Paul thought he would win before the draw came out as 1. It looked a near impossible task but he travelled really well and won readily on the day. There was a lot of trouble on the rail which hindered some of his rivals chances.”

Lane's second winner came aboard the John Gallagher trained, Amber Crystal (4/1), who won the 8 runner Attheraces Selling Stakes (C6), over 6f, at Leicester on June 1st last. Recording her second win from 15 starts, this three year old Multiplex filly, was following on from a decent second in a similar event at Beverley last time out.

Lane's third and final winner came aboard the Stuart Kittow trained, Mad Endeavour (9/2), who won the 11 runner Wolves Races H'cap (C6), over 6f, at Wolverhampton on June 3rd last. Recording his first win, on this, his 10th start, this four year old gelded son of Muhtathir was having only his second all-weather start and may prove better on synthetics going forward. Lane currently sits on the 23 winner mark for 2015.

SITTING FIRST, THE REST NOWHERE

Fermoy native and trainer, David O'Meara, added a further three winners to his ever increasing 2015 tally, which now stands at 43. His most notable winner came with the Sam James ridden, First Sitting (9/2), who went onto take the 11 runner Weatherby's Private Banking H'cap (C4), over 9f, at Hamilton Park on June 4th last.

Making his handicap debut and having only his second start for O'Meara, this four year old gelded son of Dansili was bidding to break his maiden tag, off what looked a reasonable opening mark of 76. Settled well in midfield, in about sixth position, off a contested lead set by both Lord Franklin and Tin Pan Alley, First Sitting was always sighted travelling well for James as this race progressed into the long home straight.

With Tin Pan Alley now taking over at the head of affairs, James manoeuvred First Sitting into a challenging position right up the inside rail. Ridden to go about his job fully two furlongs from home, First Sitting responded as you might expect and duly hit the front well over one furlong out, with no answers coming from the field. Driven out, this Hambleton Racing owned gelding duly put about two and a quarter lengths between himself and the fast finishing Sakhalin Star at the line. It was a further two and three-quarter lengths back to Tin Pan Alley in third.

Making the perfect handicapping start, First Sitting is a former Dermot Weld trained inmate and a full brother to Group 1 winning mare, Emulous. He was picked up for 15,000gns from Juddmonte Farms last October and looks money well spent. First Sitting holds another entry this week at York, in an apprentice handicap on June 12th.

Sam James, winning rider, speaking to The Avondhu, said, “First Sitting jumped and travelled well in mid division. He had to wait for a gap, then got a lovely split up the rail and went on to win comfortably.”

O'Meara's second winner came with the Shelley Birkett ridden, Signorina Roseina (20/1), who took the 9 runner Go Racing In Yorkshire H'cap (C6), over 6f, at Catterick on June 5th last. Making her seasonal reappearance on handicap debut, this three year old Captain Gerrard filly, broke her maiden tag, on this, her fourth start, off a very workable mark of 52.

O'Meara's third and final winner came with the David Nolan ridden, Classic Flyer (10/3), who won the 6 runner UK Number Plates H'cap (C6), over 5f, at Newcastle on June 6th last. Recording his third course win, this three year old gelded son of Stimulation, just did enough to win by a nose and will keep the handicapper at bay with these hard fought wins.

In other news, O'Meara's Custom Cut finished second in the Group 3 Diomed Stakes at Epsom, won by the Rathbarry Stud bred, Arod. O'Meara's stable jockey, Danny Tudhope, hopes to be back in a few weeks after a thumb injury threatens to rule him out of Royal Ascot.

VAUGHAN'S BARTEL HAS BRITANNIA FIRMLY IN SIGHTS

Rockmills native and trainer, Ed Vaughan, picked up where he left off last week with another winner in the shape of the Freddie Tylicki ridden, Bartel (3/1), who took the 7 runner 32Red Casino H'cap (C4), over 7f, at Kempton Park on June 4th last.

Making his all-weather and handicap debut, on this, his first appearance of the season, this three year old Aussies Rules colt was well supported in the market to follow up his Yarmouth maiden win, back in September 2014.

Well drawn in one on the inside, Tylicki dropped his mount in, up the inside, off what looked a steady pace set by Mighty Zip. Travelling fresh and well after two furlongs, Bartel began to take a fierce hold as the pace seemingly steadied again to the halfway point. Switching off the rail for fear of running into the back of Stake Acclaim, Tylicki now had some room for manoeuvre as the field entered the top of the home straight.

Quickening up the pace from the front, Mighty Zip went for home fully two furlongs out, with Highest Level and Bartel seemingly the only ones who could go with him. With three horses in line entering the final furlong, Mighty Zip was inhaled by Highest Level and Bartel, who went on to fight out this gruelling sprint finish. Responding gamely, Bartel eventually wore down his rival, staying on strongly, to win readily in the end by half a length.

Recording his second win, on this, only his fourth start, this Ballymore Sterling Syndicate owned colt, looks to have matured into a nice prospect and could well develop even further on this evidence. This race wouldn't have set up ideally for him and he still came through with flying colours. Rated 82 here, he already looks up to Class 2 company and all going well, will be given a chance in pattern company later in the season.

Vaughan was recording his 8th winner of 2015 and Bartel was his third winner from his last 7 runners. Freddie Tylicki also kept up his 40% winning strike rate for the Newmarket based trainer.

Ed Vaughan, speaking to The Avondhu, said, “Bartel is a very smart colt who will improve for stepping up in trip. He now heads for the Britannia at Royal Ascot.”

FUTURES STRIKES GOLD UNDER HARDING

Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding, recorded his 4th winner of the season, aboard the Nicky Richards trained Gold Futures (9/4), who scored in the 10 runner, Junior Great North Run Novices' Chase (C4), over 20f, at Hexham on June 6th last.

Wearing his usual hood and making just his second start over fences, this six year old gelded son of Gold Well, was running over a more suitable trip here, after finding things happening too quick over 17.5f last time out at Bangor.

Dropped out in about fifth, up the inside of runners, off a good pace set by race favourite, Volcanic, Gold Futures jumped and travelled well for Harding this time around, as this field was reduced to 8 runners after My Lady West and Latest Fashion both parted company with their jockeys early in the race. Going out on the final circuit with a fierce cross wind, Harding took closer order into third before the third last where again he was foot perfect and accurate. With three horses - Volcanic, Enchanted Garden and Gold Futures - bounding clear to the second last, Gold Futures looked to travel best, moving smoothly into second before jumping the last. With the usual last fence omitted, it was a long run home and Gold Futures stamped his authority on this race when hitting the front off the home straight and steadily drawing clear up the long run-in. Enchanted Garden tried in vain to run him down, but he again was challenged by Volcanic for second, a battle he eventually lost close home.

Gold Futures, driven out by Harding, had some eight lengths to spare over Volcanic in second, with Enchanted Garden a further neck away in third. Recording his first chase win and 5th win in total from just 13 starts, Gold Futures looks a typical chasing type that this yard thrives on. Rated 135 over hurdles, at his best, he could well improve on that mark over fences in the right conditions.

Nicky Richards, winning trainer, went onto say, “Two miles was too short for him at Bangor but there weren't any two and a half mile races for him. This looked a good race and he needs this good ground. I'll keep him going.”

O'NEILL AND MCLERNON MOUNT A ROYAL CHALLENGE

Castletownroche native and trainer, Jonjo O'Neill, teamed up with fellow Avondhu and Liscarroll jockey, Richie McLernon, to take the 6 runner Streets Accountants H'cap Hurdle (C4), with Mont Royale (13/2), over 20.5f, at Southwell on June 2nd last. In what was listed as a 7 runner race, Twelve Strings, looking very reluctant to race, was withdrawn right on the off, reducing the field to 6 runners.

Coming into this race off the back of a much need Kempton run, on his seasonal reappearance last month, this seven year old gelded son of Hurricane Run, set out to make all in what looked a very winnable contest. Happy to set up the race his own way, McLernon, controlled the field from the front and always looked to jump and travel well going out on the final circuit. This field was further reduced by one, when Prettyasapicture took a crashing fall five from home, when in contention.

Slowly turning the screw, Mont Royale had most of this field in trouble turning into the home straight. Switching across to the stand side rail, McLernon had just one rival, Indian Stream, to contend with and he was soon put to bed over two out. Ridden out down over the last, Mont Royale was not for catching and he galloped on strongly, to win, going away by some five lengths. Indian Stream held on well for second.

Recording his third win from 12 starts, Mont Royale was winning here off a mark of 108, having won previously, making all, off 102 at Warwick, back in November 2014. Owned by former England bowler and sports personality, Phil Tufnell Racing, he should cope well enough with a penalty going forward.

Richie McLernon, speaking to The Avondhu, said, “Mont Royale jumped really well, gave me a great spin and stuck to his task well.”

O'Neill was recording his 11th winner of the season and McLernon his 8th. There is still no indication as to who will fill Tony McCoy's boots at Jackdaws, if anyone will. O'Neill has plenty of talented jockeys within his yard and it will be interesting to see what happens later in the autumn.

Combined UK flat/jumps 2015 = 216.



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