David O'Meara jumps to it with Ifandbutwhynot

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David O’Meara jumps to it with Ifandbutwhynot

Winners continue to mount for local area connections – both Martin Lane and Liam Keniry reaching the 66 winner mark; Brian Harding with 15, while Jonjo O’Neill is just 4 winners short of the 100 mark.

Barry O’Neill

Monday, 9 December 2013
6:45 PM GMT



WEEK 48 25th Nov-1st Dec', 13

Another great week for locals in the UK with 12 winners in total, including a Gerry Fielden Hurdle (listed) for trainer David O'Meara with Ifandbutwhynot.

O'MEARA JUMPS TO IT WITH IFANDBUTWHYNOT

Fermoy native and trainer, David O'Meara, was back amongst the jump winners in no uncertain terms last week. His Ifandbutwhynot (8/1) went onto win the Listed Gerry Feilden Hurdle (Hcap), over 2m, at Newbury on November 28th last.

Ridden by Timmy Murphy, this seven year old son of Raise A Grand was bidding to put a disappointing run in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham behind him. Jumping off in front, which was a notable tactical change from his jockey, Ifandbutwhynot continued to dictate and control a moderate pace, in this field of 8 runners.

Jumping well and seemingly enjoying himself in perfect isolation, O'Meara's charge travelled strongly to the second last and just had Chatterbox (5/2) and Barry Geraghty to contend with on the run for home. Chatterbox's challenge floundered between the last two flights, as Murphy kicked on with plenty of horse under him, pulling some five lengths clear going to the last. Jumping the final hurdle well, Ifandbutwhynot fairly bounded up the run-in, winning easily by some four and a half lengths from Chatterbox, back in second place.

Tactics and an enterprising ride won the day and Ifandbutwhynot didn't need to improve a whole lot on previous best efforts to win here. Rated 133 going into this race, the handicapper will show little mercy in future races and it will be interesting to see if these tactics will be employed again in graded races. David O'Meara, winning trainer, went onto say, "There didn't look much pace on, so Timmy said he might make the running. It has worked out brilliantly and he really enjoyed himself out in front."

O'Meara went onto to record a second winner with Dansili Dutch (5/1), who followed up his recent course and distance win, under jockey Graham Gibbons. He took a class 6 handicap, over 9f, at Wolverhampton on November 25th last. O'Meara was nominated for trainer of the year at the recent Derby awards, along with Richard Hannon, Nicky Henderson and Lady Cecil. This in recognition of his great achievements over the last few years.

HARDING DOING THINGS IN THREES

Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding, continues in great form, riding another three winners in the last week. His most notable winner came aboard the Nicky Richards trained Tutchec (4/1), in a class 3 handicap chase over 3m2f, at Carlisle, on December 1st last.

Looking to complete a hat-trick of course wins and stepped up in trip and class, this six year old grey son of Turgeon, jumped off in front in this 7-runner contest. Jumping well, Harding dictated a good pace and poached a four length lead going down the hill on the far side and travelled strongly to maintain that lead all the way to the winning post. With only one horse, Herdsman (11/2), looking any real threat, this was a big step in the right direction for the Club 4 Racing owned gelding. He continues to impress with his jumping, which has improved no end since falling at Catterick this time last year.

Looking highly progressive, Tutchec was winning here off a mark (114) 17lb higher than when winning at Carlisle towards the end of October. Recording his fourth win from just 9 starts over fences, it will be interesting to see what the handicapper does with his mark. Nicky Richards, winning trainer, went onto say, "Tutchec is a big horse who has taken time to come to himself. I though Brian gave him a great ride as it's not an easy course to make all the running."

Harding went onto record another two winners. He completed a Carlisle double aboard Eduard (4/7f), again for trainer Nicky Richards, in a class 3 novice chase, over 2m and his third and final winner came earlier in the week for trainer Willie Amos, this time aboard the evergreen Bob's Dream (13/2), in a class 5 handicap chase over 2m, at Sedgefield, on November 26th last. Harding now moves onto 15 winners for the season.

LANE HOODWINKS BILLY BLUE

Kilworth native and flat jockey, Martin Lane, continues in tremendous form and rode a further three winners last week, taking his 2013 total up to 66.

Lane's most notable winner came aboard the Roger Charlton trained Hooded (4/1), who broke his maiden tag on this his second start, in a class 5 maiden over 1m, at Lingfield Park, on November 27th.

Reluctant to load into the stalls, once in, this two year old son of Empire Maker broke well from an inside draw. Hustled early and ridden by Lane to the front of proceedings, Hooded settled well and controlled the early pace. Looking much sharper than his debut run, Hooded was asked to go about his job fully two and a half furlongs out and responded to Lane's urgings.

With the odds-on favourite Billy Blue (4/5f) looming large in Lane's wing mirrors, Hooded gained a decisive two length lead entering the home straight. Running straight and through, Lane only needed to encourage his mount hands and heels for a comfortable two and a quarter length win, from the awkward looking Billy Blue. Impeccably bred, out of a half sister to Warning and Commander In Chief, Hooded could make up into a smashing three year old, especially if upped in trip again.

Martin Lane, speaking to The Avondhu, went onto say, "Hooded grew up a lot from his first run and was allowed to dictate things from the front. He's done it quite well on the day and will improve again."

Lane went onto record another two winners in the shape of Iffranesia (7/2) for trainer Robert Cowell, in a class 6 handicap over 5f, at Wolverhampton, on November 26th and Stormbound (13/2), for trainer Paul Cole, in a class 6 handicap over 1m, at Kempton Park on November 28th. Lane was a late replacement on Stormbound, whose original jockey, Raul Da Silva felt unwell just before the race.

O'NEILL'S DREAMSOFTHEATRE TAKES CENTRE STAGE

Castletownroche native and trainer, Jonjo O'Neill, is now just four winners off a century of wins for the 2013-14 jumps season. He recorded another two winners last week, the most notable of which was Dreamsoftheatre (7/2f) in a class 4 handicap hurdle over 3m, at Kempton Park, on November 25th last.

Ridden by Tony McCoy, this five year old son of King's Theatre was recording his fourth win over hurdles, having pulled up in his previous race, when reportedly suffering from a fibrillating heart. Prominent throughout in this 9-runner contest, Dreamsoftheatre challenged long time leader Alberobello (5/1) to the outside off the home turn. Joining that rival over the second last, Dreamsoftheatre started to get the upperhand between the last two flights.

Jumping the last a length up, McCoy only had to push out his mount for a comfortable looking two and a quarter length win, from Alberobello, back in second place.

Bred by RTE racing presenter, Kieran Gleeson, Dreamsoftheatre still looks progressive, winning here off a mark of 117, having started his winning spree in the summer off a mark of 95 at Newton Abbot. Life will be tougher from now on once reassessed, but chasing is this fellow’s game, having also won a point-to-point under Barry O'Neill at Toomebridge, back in 2012.

Jonjo O'Neill, winning trainer, went onto say, "I am delighted with that after what happened last time. Dreamsoftheatre only jumped two or three hurdles that day and was found to have a fibrillating heart, so this is a bit of a surprise after that."

O'Neill's second winner came with Milan Bound (1/2f) in a class 4 novice hurdle over 3m, at Uttoxeter, on November 28th last. Also ridden by Tony McCoy, this £145,000 purchase was winning his third race in a row and is now two for two over hurdles.

O'LEARY GOES INTO THE MYSTIC

Castlelyons native and trainer, Ronnie O'Leary, recorded yet another winner in the UK from his Killaloe base, with Mystical Dreamer (5/4f) in a class 6 bumper, over 2m1f, at Sedgefield on November 26th last.

Ridden by Dougie Costello and making his racecourse debut, this four year old son of Flemensfirth was backed as if defeat was out of the question. Backers never had a moments worry, as Mystical Dreamer tanked through this race, duly winning by two and a half lengths, with what looked like tonnes in hand. Never coming off the bridle, O'Leary's charge has been entered at Newbury sales on November 29th. A timely and well executed plan from O'Leary, whose wife also owns this horse, he will no doubt fetch a tidy sum, having cost connections €27,000 as a three year old.

Ronnie O'Leary, winning trainer, went onto say, "He's a grand horse who has done everything right at home. He goes to Newbury sales on Friday."

KENIRY WELL IN COMMAND

Killeagh native and flat jockey, Liam Keniry, added another winner to his ever increasing 2013 total, which now stands at 66, exactly the same figure as Martin Lane.

Getting the leg up on the John Butler trained, Officer In Command (6/1) in a class 6 seller over 1m1f, at Wolverhampton, on November 29th last, Keniry just had the odds-on favourite, Honey Of A Kitten (1/2f) to beat. With only four runners going to post, Honey Of A Kitten set off in front with Keniry content to sit last in the early stages. Taking closer order to the three furlong pole and travelling smoothly, Officer In Command challenged Honey Of A Kitten wide off the home-turn. Joining the long-time leader at the one pole, Keniry asked his mount a serious question and got the desired response, going on to win by a tidy one length at the line.

Recording his eighth win, all of which have been on an all weather surface, Officer In Command finally completed wins at all three polytrack courses, Kempton, Lingfield and now Wolverhampton. He remains of interest back in handicaps off a mark of 69, having won off 75 in the past.

John Butler, winning trainer, went onto say, "Officer In Command has had his little problems in the past. He had the one horse to beat there and we rode him to do that."



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