O’Neill’s ‘Dreamsoftheatre’ takes Cavendish Cup H’cap at Cartmel

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O’Neill’s ‘Dreamsoftheatre’ takes Cavendish Cup H’cap at Cartmel

It was Castletownroche native, Jonjo O’Neill who stole the limelight in Week 36, claiming 3 victories, including the 6 runner Cavendish Cup H’cap (C2) at Cartmel.

Barry O’Neill

Wednesday, 16 September 2015
12:15 PM GMT



WEEK 36: MONDAY, 31 AUGUST – SUNDAY, 6 SEPT.

Another 5 winners to report on from Avondhu area locals based in the UK, which included 3 winners for Castletownroche native, Jonjo O'Neill. Fermoy native, David O'Meara and Kilworth native, Martin Lane, added a winner each, taking our 2015 combined total onto the 342 winner mark.

DREAMSOFTHEATRE TAKES CENTRE STAGE IN CARTMEL THRILLER

Castletownroche native and trainer, Jonjo O'Neill, keeps his string ticking over nicely with three winners recorded in Week 36, as we move ever nearer to shorter days and winter nights. His most notable success came with the Richard Johnson ridden, Dreamsoftheatre (2/1f), who took the 6 runner Cavendish Cup H'cap (C2), over 25.5f, at Cartmel on August 31st last. Well supported in the ring and coming here off the back of a recent Bangor win, when seemingly well in, this seven year old grey gelded son of King's Theatre, had the burden of a 10lb penalty, in what looked a decent contest on paper.

Dropped in handy, in third position, off a moderate pace set by Alderbrook Lad, Dreamsoftheatre jumped clean and accurate until reaching a bit for the seventh fence down on Prior side. Always going well within himself and a proven stayer, Dreamsoftheatre found himself in second over the 10th fence, as the leader proved hard to latch on to.

With the race hotting up going out on the final circuit, Johnson seemed content as challengers came either side of him, pushing him back into fourth place. No sooner had Dreamsoftheatre looked vulnerable when both Abolitionist and Alderbrook Lad made mistakes jumping three out. Now close enough in second, at Alderbrook Lad's girth, jumping two out, Dreamsoftheatre looked to hold every chance going down to the last, but a slow jump compared to the leaders put him on the back foot.

Now faced with a four furlong run-in, Alderbrook Lad made the best of his way home, shooting clear of a chasing pack down Woodside, which now included Dreamsoftheatre, Abolitionist, Bailey’s Concerto and Danimix from the back. Turning into the home straight and still Alderbrook Lad looked all out the winner, some six lengths clear, until finally succumbing to early exertions halfway up the run-in. As we have seen on countless occasions on this tortuous run-in, Alderbrook Lad was swamped close home by three horses who went by him in an instant and before we knew it, we had a three-way photo finish right on the line. A great end to this race with Dreamsoftheatre getting the verdict by a short head, from Abolitionist back in second. It was another head back to Danimix in third.

Recording his sixth win in total from 21 starts, this John P McManus owned gelding looks a different proposition over fences this season. A career best effort here, off a handicap mark of 127, he has the unusual statistic of winning four races from four starts in the month of August. Richard Johnson, winning rider, said, "They didn't really go quick enough and it's a sharp enough track for him. He put his head down and battled well."

O'Neill went onto record a double on the day at Cartmel with Highpower (6/4f), again ridden by Richard Johnson, who won the 5 runner Sticky Toffee Pudding Novices' Hurdle (C4), over 22f.

O'Neill's third and final winner came with the Will Kennedy ridden, Clubs Are Trumps (9/4f), who scored in the 5 runner Eventsi Marquee Hire Novices' H'cap Chase (C4), over 23f, at Worcester on September 2nd last. O'Neill now sits on the 33 winner mark for the season.

MISS MULLBERRY BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Fermoy native and trainer, David O'Meara, had a quieter than usual week, lots of near misses and one winner, with the David Nolan ridden, Miss Mullberry (14/1), who took the 11 runner Thirsk Racecourse Conference Venue H'cap (C4), over 5f at Thirsk, on September 5th last.

Coming here with a falling handicap mark and without her usual hooded headgear, this three year old Kodiac filly was bidding to get back to winning ways on a track where she had tasted victory in the past. Bumped at the start and hampered early, Miss Mullberry found herself shuffled back into about sixth position, off what looked a solid pace, set by Bowson Fred. Always sighted travelling well, with a slight sideways head carriage, Miss Mullberry made her move well over two out, when switched left by Nolan for clear daylight.

Seemingly checked in her run at a vital time when running up the back of Straightothepoint, Nolan was quick to correct his filly and once given the office, Miss Mullberry stayed on strongly to challenge between both her stable companion, Snow Cloud and Straightothepoint.

Hitting the front with a well timed run, this Middleham Park Racing owned filly, had too much close home for her rivals and duly won by three-quarters of a length, from Straightothepoint. It was a further short head back to O'Meara's other runner, Snow Cloud in third.

Recording her third win from 16 starts, Miss Mullberry is now two from two at Thirsk, with all her three wins coming over the minimum 5f trip. This also looked a career best performance and she has been highly tried in Listed company on three occasions without success. A 1,000gns yearling, who turned into a 42,000gns breeze up two year old, Miss Mullberry will no doubt be tried in black-type company again as she matures into a nice four year old.

O'Meara was recording his 99th winner of 2015, with a full season tally of 106 winners.

SKY'S THE LIMIT FOR FELLOWES STAR KASSEOPIA

Kilworth native and flat jockey, Martin Lane, returned to winning ways after a 7 day suspension, aboard the Charlie Fellowes trained Kasseopia (11/4), who went onto take the 12 runner iInsure 365 Irish Stallion Farms Maiden Stakes (C5), over 8f, at Kempton Park on September 4th last.

Making his third racecourse appearance after a promising second last time out over course and distance, this two year old Showcasing colt was installed second favourite behind the Paul Cole trained, House Of Commons. Well away from an outside draw position, Lane was intent on getting Kasseopia to the head of affairs early doors. Pushed up to lead outright after 100yds, Kasseopia showed his experience here, while others seemed overawed by the occasion.

Setting a good even gallop and pestered somewhat on the lead to the halfway point, Kasseopia strode on mercilessly entering the top of the home straight. With the field stretched to breaking point, Lane asked his mount to quicken and within five strides there was only going to be one winner.

Hitting the two pole some six lengths clear, Kasseopia went further and further ahead as he entered the final furlong. Seemingly unaware of how far in front he was, Lane continued to ride out his mount vigorously and had some nine lengths to spare from Celebration Day back in second place. It was a further half a length back to Primitivo in third.

Recording his first win, Kasseopia, a 40,000gns breeze-up purchase, looks well above average and it is no surprise to see him entered up in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes. He looks a strong, well built type and paid a huge compliment to the Godolphin trained, Pure Diamond, who beat him by six lengths last time out. There was a sting in the tail for Lane post race, as he was handed a two day suspension for using his whip when clearly winning. In Lane's defence, you don't often see two year olds winning so easily at Kempton and if anything, it was a good education for horse with tougher races ahead. Lane was riding his 34th winner of 2015.

Combined UK flat/jumps 2015 = 342.



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