Cheltenham glory for Adrian Heskin as Johnny Burke takes Midlands Grand National

By
znR
-

Avondhupress.ie uses cookies. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Click here to find out more or Close

Sport

Cheltenham glory for Adrian Heskin as Johnny Burke takes Midlands Grand National

No shortage of winners from Week 11, with Adrian Heskin and Johnny Burke taking the most notable victories for area connections, with an impressive 13 winners in total from the week.

Barry O’Neill

Wednesday, 25 March 2015
12:05 PM GMT



WEEK 11: MONDAY, 9 MARCH – SUNDAY, 15 MARCH

With all roads leading to Cheltenham last week, we have 13 winners from 8 individuals to report on from Avondhu area locals in the UK, which included a Grade 1 Cheltenham winner for Kilworth jockey, Adrian Heskin and a Midlands Grand National winner for Glengoura jockey, Johnny Burke. We feature winners from natives of Castletownroche (5), Kilworth (3), Rockmills (2), Fermoy (1), Killeagh (1) and Glengoura (1). Our combined total for 2015 now sits on 101 winners.

TUESDAY MARCH 10TH (89)

Rockmills native and trainer, Ed Vaughan, recorded his fourth winner of 2015, with the Pat Cosgrave ridden Claim The Roses (5/1Jf), who took the 10 runner Ladbrokes Handicap (C4), over 7f, at Wolverhampton on March 10th last. Having his first start on this Tapeta surface after previously winning over course and distance when polytrack was the preferred surface, this 4 year old Speightstown colt was taking a drop in class, with a falling handicap mark, down six pounds to 83 from 89.

Dropped in nearer last than first, up the inside of runners, off a fair pace set by Oeil De Tigre, Claim The Roses settled and travelled well in his customary hood, taking closer order going to two out, as the field swung for home. Forced to challenge up the unfavoured inside, Cosgrave asked his mount for maximum effort, gathering in the leaders just outside the one furlong marker. Staying on strongly, Claim The Roses hit the front with 100yds to go and won readily in the end by three quarters of a length. Thataboy took second, with Light From Mars a further length back in third.

Recording his third win from just 8 starts, this Salem Rasid owned colt looks to be still on the up with a trip to America now entering calculations. Ed Vaughan, said, "He'll probably go to American with his style of racing. There are a couple of races for him at Keeneland, with Belmont and Saratoga also an option."

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11TH (winners 90-93)

While all eyes were on Cheltenham, Castletownroche native and trainer, Jonjo O'Neill, sent three runners to Huntingdon, a trip that proved very rewarding, with all three runners winning under jockey, Will Kennedy, who himself was recording the first treble of his career.

O'Neill's 90th winner of the season came with Mad Jack Mytton (15/8), who took the 11 runner 32Red Maiden Hurdle (C4), over 16.5f. Having been placed on his three previous hurdle starts, this 5 year old gelded son of Arcadio, was given a good opportunity here to break his maiden tag. Off a decent gallop set by Fair Loch, Kennedy settled his mount just off the pace, travelling and jumping with ease throughout this contest. Always catching the eye stalking the leaders, Mad Jack Mytton picked off the leader going to two out and ridden clear, never looked in any danger thereafter, cruising to a five length win, from King's Request back in second place. A half brother to stablemate, John’s Spirit, Mad Jack Mytton looks a horse to keep on the right side of.

O'Neill and Kennedy's double was quick in arriving in the very next race, as Clubs Are Trumps (3/1) took the 7 runner, Bob Brown Memorial Handicap Chase (C5), over 24f. Making only his second chase start after unseating his rider on handicap chase debut, at Uttoxeter, this 6 year old gelded son of Flemensfirth took advantage of better ground conditions and a drop of 8 pounds in the ratings.

Ridden close to a steady pace, set by Rivermouth, Kennedy took closer order into second going past halfway and although making a mistake five out, Clubs Are Trumps was kidded into taking up the lead two out. With Rivermouth still on the premises over the last, both he and Clubs Are Trumps began to wander left up the run-in, giving the third placed Roseneath, a big chance to close in. All out, in what turned into a great finish, Clubs Are Trumps held on by the shortest of winning margins, a nose, from Roseneath, gaining his first win of any kind. Rated only 95 here, he has ample scope to follow up off a penalty.

O'Neill and Kennedy completed a memorable day and treble, with Beggars Cross (8/1), who took the 32Red National Hunt Flat Race (C6), over 16.5f. Making his racecourse debut, this big unfurnished, five year old gelded son of Presenting, was ridden handy, up with the leader, Rene's Girl, to five out, where the pace lifted, catching the Trevor Hemmings’ owned gelding flat-footed.

Losing position entering the home turn, Beggars Cross was soon back on an even keel and ridden, he reeled in the leaders just before the one pole, staying on stoutly to assert and go clear to the line. Winning by three and a quarter lengths, this half brother to Cheltenham winner Call The Cops, looks an exciting prospect with hurdles in mind.

Kilworth native and flat jockey, Martin Lane, recorded his 9th winner of 2015, aboard the Heather Main trained, Childesplay (7/2), who won the 7 runner, 32Red Fillies' Handicap (C5), over 7f at Kempton. Coming here off the back of a course and distance win last month, this 4 year old daughter of Byron, was afforded a textbook front running ride by Lane. Making all the running off a steady early pace, Lane wound up his filly just before the two pole and showing a good turn of foot, she left her rivals for dust, scooting clear and winning by some one and a half lengths, from Skinny Love, back in second.

An improving filly, Childesplay's Kempton form now reads 2211 and she is worth following if showing up again at this track under a penalty.

THURSDAY, MARCH 12TH (winners 94 & 95)

Martin Lane was quick to follow up his winner from the previous evening with his first ride on Thursday aboard the David Simcock trained, Barye (11/10f), who took the 8 runner Totepool Handicap (C4), over 10f, at Chelmsford. Bidding to record back to back wins, following last month’s easy success over course and distance, this 4 year old gelded son of Archipenko, went to post a well supported favourite to dispatch 7 rivals.

Steadied at the start and held up in rear off an even pace, set by Corton Lad, Lane sat quiet and waited patiently as the race developed around him. Passing the four furlong marker, a pushed along Barye began to make steady progress towards the leaders entering the final turn. Ridden strongly to challenge Corton Lad just outside the furlong marker, Barye was soon in front and entering the final 200yds, he fairly bounded clear of the field, going onto win by an easy looking 5 lengths, from Mr Red Clubs back in second. Swing Alone was half a length further back in third.

Recording his third win from 11 starts, this Anthony Hogarth owned gelding looks highly progressive on synthetic surfaces. Rated 83 going into this race, he will have to step into class 3 company to complete his hat-trick. Lane was riding his 10th winner of 2015.

Killeagh native and flat jockey, Liam Keniry, was also in the winners’ circle at Chelmsford, recording his 13th winner of 2015, aboard the John Butler trained Come On Dave (2/1f), who took the 7 runner Totepool.Com Handicap (C3), over 5f. Back at the track where he won easily last month, this 6 year old gelded son of Red Clubs, was running here off his highest ever handicap mark of 87 and would need to put in a lifetime best performance to take this contest.

Taken to post early, Come On Dave was smartly away and in front from the outset he showcased his early speed, burning off his rivals one by one as this race neared conclusion. Ridden just outside the one pole, Keniry had this race well in hand with Come On Dave readily holding Doctor Parkes in second place by some three quarters of a length. Recording his 9th win from 45 starts and 6th from 12 on the all weather, Come On Dave gave John Butler the perfect send off as a trainer, with his last runner before taking up the position of assistant trainer to Ismail Mohammed.

FRIDAY, MARCH 13TH (96)

Kilworth native and jump jockey, Adrian Heskin, rode possibly the biggest winner of his career, aboard the Mags Mullins trained Martello Tower (14/1), who took the 19 runner Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1), over 24f, at Cheltenham. Proven over the trip and in conditions, this 7 year old gelded son of Milan was always ridden handy, off a relentless gallop, set by Milsean, in what turned into a war of attrition, with half the field failing to complete.

Pushed along to chase the leader after two out off the home bend, Martello Tower joined Milsean approaching the last and staying on gallantly despite hanging left and then right, went onto win by half a length at the line from the game runner-up. No More Heroes was a further one length back in third and completed a fantastic one, two, three for local Avondhu stallions, Milan and Presenting.

Recording his 6th win from 9 starts, Martello Tower gave his trainer, Mags Mullins a first Cheltenham festival winner and it also ended a five year wait for Heskin since his last Cheltenham win, aboard A New Story, in the cross country race back in 2010. With past winners of this race including Gold Cup hero Bobs Worth, Martello Tower could go on to scale such heights in years to come. Heskin was riding his 42nd winner of the season and has thrived since picking up the job as retained rider to top owner Barry Connell. Adrian Heskin, said, "It's been a long wait but I'll enjoy this one. He's a real tough horse and all he does is find and find off the bridle."

SATURDAY, MARCH 14TH (WINNERS 97-101)

Trainer Jonjo O'Neill recorded his 93rd winner of the season with the Tony McCoy ridden, Beg To Differ (11/4f), who won the 11 runner Betfred Handicap Hurdle (C3), over 20.5f at Uttoxeter. Recently sold to Coolmore and partners after two recent hurdle wins, this 5 year old gelded son of Flemensfirth was seeking a hat-trick of wins upped in trip and class.

Ridden in midfield off a steady pace set by Hollow Tree, McCoy made his move after jumping the fourth last where Rock On Rocky took over in front. Driven to tag onto the heels of the leader who still had a length to spare jumping the last, Beg To Differ saw out the extra distance in gritty fashion, going on to win by two lengths from Rock On Rocky. It was a further 21 lengths back to Hollow Tree in third. Bred by Robert McCarthy at Beeches Stud, Beg To Differ looks a highly progressive individual.

Glengoura native and jump jockey, Johnny Burke, rode his first winner in the UK when taking the feature Midlands Grand National Handicap Chase (C1), over 33.5f, aboard the Jim Dreaper trained Goonyella (6/1), at Uttoxeter. Coming into this marathon event off the back of a third behind Gold Cup runner-up Djakadam, in the Thyestes Chase, this 8 year old gelded son of Presenting was well supported to continue a great week for Irish connections.

Always handy and tracking the lead which changed hands on numerous occasions, Burke took the race on after jumping the 18th fence and always looked in control as the field slowly decimated behind him. Clear going over two out, Goonyella stayed on resolutely after jumping the last, galloping on up the run-in to record a 9 length win from another Irish trained runner, Raz De Maree. It was a further 7 lengths back to Woodford County in third.

Recording his third and biggest success to date, this Ann and Alan Potts owned gelding has an entry in the Grand National but may not get in. His most likely engagement will be the Irish equivalent. Burke was riding his 51st winner of the season.

Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding, edged just one off his 50th winner of the season, scoring aboard the Nicky Richards trained Un Noble (11/4f), who took the 10 runner MTREC Engineering Handicap Hurdle (C4), over 20f, at Newcastle. Coming here fresh from a three and a half month winter break, this 5 year old grey gelded son of Near Honor, was making his handicap debut off a reasonable mark of just 103.

Upped in trip also, Harding held up his mount early, as the lead changed hands off a solid pace finally set by Clan Chief. Making stealthy headway after jumping the fourth last, Un Noble headed new leader Harvey's Hope at the second last and although the second provided a sustained challenge, Harding had matters well in hand after jumping the last. Staying on strongly, Un Noble went onto score by 3 lengths from Harvey's Hope, with Friendly Royal a further 17 lengths back in third.

Recording his first win, on this, his 5th start, Un Noble, looks to have matured a lot since last autumn. He can go onto better things.

Ed Vaughan recorded his second winner of the week and 5th of 2015, with the Freddie Tylicki ridden Primrose Valley (9/4f), who took another fast track qualifier when winning the 8 runner Unibet Conditions Stakes (C2), over 5f, at Wolverhampton. Bidding for a four timer, this 3 year old daughter of Pastoral Pursuits, came here in prime condition in her customary hood.

Held up early off a solid pace set firstly by Fast Act and then the keen going Mukhmal, Primrose Valley looked to have plenty to do as the field turned into the home straight. Ridden strongly, she came with a wet sail to overhaul new leader Harry Hurricane well inside the final 100yds. Winning by a neck close home, this Alan Pickering owned and bred filly looks the real deal and class saw her through this tough test. She now heads to the All-Weather Championship Sprint Final on Good Friday as a leading contender.

Fermoy native and trainer, David O'Meara, recorded our final and 13th winner of the week, with the Danny Tudhope ridden All You (4/1), who won the 7 runner 32Red Maiden Stakes (C5), over 8.5f, also at Wolverhampton. Making his racecourse debut, this 3 year old gelded son of Siyouni was dropped into a very winnable maiden and held up early off a steady pace set by Sample, Tudhope got busy fully 3 furlongs from home. Picking up the leaders well inside the final furlong, a very green looking All You, hung badly left into three horses up his inside close home, going onto win easily in the end by some one and a quarter lengths. The inevitable stewards enquiry followed where the placings remained unaltered. Described by Tudhope as a slow learner, this half brother to black type performer Double Diamond, looks to have plenty left to offer going forward into the new turf season. O'Meara was recording his 7th winner of 2015.

UK flat/jumps 2015 = 101.



blog comments powered by Disqus



RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR