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An impressive combined total for 2014 of 369 winners thus far, including a group 2 winner in Week 39 for trainer David O’Meara.

WEEK 39: 22nd - 28th SEPT '14

For the fourth week in a row we have a big race winner to report on with the David O'Meara trained, Custom Cut, who won the Group 2 Joel Stakes last Saturday. A total of 8 winners last week takes our combined total for 2014 onto 369 winners.

O'MEARA'S CUSTOM CUTS DOWN BIG GUNS IN JOEL

Fermoy native and trainer, David O'Meara, is having a September to remember and added a further six winners in Week 39, which included a group 2 winner in the shape of the Danny Tudhope ridden, Custom Cut (15/2), who took the Shadwell Joel Stakes (G2), over 8f, at Newmarket on September 26th last, becoming O'Meara's 100th UK winner in 2014.

Coming here off the back of a four-timer, this five year old gelded son of Notnowcato, proved well up to this, his stiffest task to date, showing a lust for the game which is rare in a thoroughbred racehorse. Jumping well from the gate, it could have been assumed that Tudhope would have had competition for the lead. But this didn't materialise and Custom Cut set good even fractions to control this race where it mattered most, from the front. Swinging along to halfway as the pack stacked up behind him, Custom Cut was asked to go about his business fully two and a half furlongs from home, as firstly Cable Bay and then race favourite, Captain Cat, came to stake their claim. Showing grit and determination, Custom Cut saw off all challengers and if anything looked to be going away at the end of this race. He put some two and a half lengths between himself and Captain Cat, with a further one and a quarter lengths back to Hors De Combat in third place.

Recording his fifth win from just 10 starts for O'Meara, Custom Cut has proved a revelation since coming over from Ireland and is testament to the skills of his trainer and jockey. He now looks a Group 1 miler and will no doubt take his chance in such a contest, either in the UK or abroad. Danny Tudhope, winning rider, said, "The track suited him and we went a good strong gallop. He saved a bit for himself and has been improving all year. He may go abroad next time."

O'Meara rounded off another great week with a further five winners. This included a Newcastle treble on September 23rd, with the Sam James (3) ridden, Ryeolliean (13/2), who took the Petty Wood Handicap (C4), over 1m4f. The double came up with the Danny Tudhope ridden, All About Time (11/10f), who took the EBF Maiden Fillies Stakes (C5), over 7f. The treble was completed by another Tudhope ridden horse in the shape of Classic Flyer (5/1), who took a two year old Nursery (C5), over 6f.

O'Meara's team then moved onto Haydock, on September 26th, taking the Betdaq Haydock Apprentice Handicap (C5), over 1m2f, with Dansili Dutch under Josh Doyle (5) and finally, the sixth winner of the week came at Ripon, with the Graham Lee ridden, Never Up (8/11f), who broke his maiden tag at the fourth attempt, on September 27th last.

ACCESSION MOVES UP THE RANKS UNDER LANE

Kilworth native and flat jockey, Martin Lane, kept up his good winning run and recorded his 44th UK winner of 2014, aboard the Charlie Fellows trained, Accession (16/1), who took the 13 runner, Wanderin' John Handicap (C2), over 7f, at Newmarket on September 27th last.

Bidding to put a disappointing run behind him from an impossible draw at Chester, this 5 year old gelded son of Rathbarry Stud stallion, Acclamation, was back on song here, in a highly competitive contest under the right race conditions. Sent to post at an inflated price, Lane jumped nicely and got his mount into a good stalking position in third, just a length or so off the early pacesetter, Lady Frances. Setting good even fractions, Accession raced slightly keen and took closer order in second, going well to three out.

Ridden fully two and a half furlongs from home, Accession came upsides to challenge the long time leader, hitting the front at the two pole. Getting there soon enough, Lane found it hard to shake off the attentions of Lady Frances, who eventually folded at the one furlong marker. With the final serious challenge coming from Jack's Revenge well inside the final furlong, Accession stuck bravely to his task, going on to repel that challenge, to win by a neck at the line.

A game performance from this former Clive Cox trained inmate, who won here off a mark of 86, having been rated 96 quiet early in his career. Now a three time winner for Charlie Fellows from just 7 starts, he looks to have found his feet and seems versatile regarding ground conditions. Clearly finding his class level here, the handicapper can't be too harsh on reassessment. He holds an entry in this Saturday's Ascot Challenge Cup and also holds a sales entry in the horses in training sale at the end of this month, a sale he was bought from in 2013 for 18,000gns.

Martin Lane, speaking to The Avondhu, said, "He's a lovely horse with a great attitude. He loves to race and showed that attitude Saturday, travelling nicely off a strong pace and picking up well to fight off a late challenge."

REBEL BREAKS JUVENILE TRACK RECORD UNDER KENIRY

Killeagh native and flat jockey, Liam Keniry, recorded his 53rd domestic winner of 2014, aboard the David Elsworth trained, Ivors Rebel (7/2), who took the 10 runner, 188Bet Nursery Handicap (C5), over 5f, at Lingfield Park on September 23rd last. Returning to the all weather after a more than satisfactory run in a big sales race at the Curragh, over 6.5f in mid September, this two year old Cockney Rebel colt was making his handicap debut here off a very fair mark of 72.

Back to his favoured 5f trip, Ivors Rebel was a stride slow from the gate and unable to force the pace as he usually does. This proved a blessing in disguise as four horses took each other on for the lead early doors. With suicidal fractions been set and horses four deep on the track, Zipedeedodah eventually took the lead outright, with Keniry stoking up his mount just to keep up, a length or so off the pace.

Turning for home and Ivors Rebel came back on the bridle as Zipedeedodah shot clear of the field. Switching his mount to the outside to challenge, Keniry slowly but surely reeled in the game Zipedeedodah. Coming upsides, he had little difficulty in passing his rival, going on to win with plenty in hand at the line. The first two horses came clear of the field and Ivors Rebel lowered the two year old juvenile track record in the process.

The Ivor Perry owned colt looks all heart and this race set up lovely for him. He will now have to move up into class 4 handicaps (0-80), but looks well capable on this evidence of being very competitive at a higher level. Ivors Rebel holds no entries this week and has now won on both turf and synthetic surfaces. He now looks a good yearling buy at €5,000.

UK Flat/jumps 2014 = 363; Dubai = 3; Ireland = 2; Canada = 1.

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