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The Cheltenham racing festival saw success for Avondhu area connections – however locally trainer Jonjo O’Neill stole the show, recording an impressive 3 winners.

WEEK 11 - 10th-16th MARCH '14

Another 10 winners combined to report on this week from Avondhu area locals in the UK, which included three Cheltenham festival winners from Castletownroche native, Jonjo O'Neill and one from Liscarroll native, Richie McLernon.

REMARKABLE O'NEILL TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT FESTIVAL

Castletownroche native and trainer, Jonjo O'Neill, recorded no less than five winners last week, which included a remarkable three winners at the Cheltenham festival. His most notable winner came with the Barry Geraghty ridden, More Of That, who kept his unbeaten record intact, when taking the ten runner Ladbrokes World Hurdle (Grade 1), over 3m at Cheltenham, on March 13th last.

With the mouth-watering World Hurdle looking a better race on paper than the Champion Hurdle, it was made all the more fascinating by the addition of 10 times winner and unbeaten mare, Annie Power. A good even pace set by Reve De Sivola (33/1), ensured that all the major contenders were there on the downhill run to the second last. With Big Bucks (7/2) the first to feel the pinch and ridden, Reve De Sivola and Rule The World (14/1) jumped the second last together, with the strong travelling At Fishers Cross (9/1)and Tony McCoy joining them to the outside of runners. Annie Power, now switched to the outside by Ruby Walsh, stalked the leaders with More Of That going just as well, in about fourth position, under a motionless Geraghty.

Turning for home and At Fishers Cross hit the front until challenged and passed by both More Of That and Annie Power going to the last. With both horses going clear and jumping the last together, it was More Of That who landed running, with a quick jump giving him the upper hand. Storming up the Cheltenham hill, More Of That always looked to have a bit more up his sleeve, going on to win by one and a half lengths from a gallant Annie Power. It was a further five lengths back to At Fishers Cross, in third position.

More Of That, a six year old son of Beneficial, has come a long way since making his handicap hurdling debut off a mark of 130, back in November 2013. He looks more like a 170 plus horse now and can leave his mark on this race for many years to come.

Jonjo O'Neill, winning trainer, went onto say, “We didn't run him in heavy ground and I think that has helped him. He doesn't show you that at home. Now he is a proper horse, isn't he?”

O'Neill's other notable Cheltenham winner came with the Tony McCoy ridden, Taquin Du Seuil (7/1), who took the 12 runner JTL Novices Chase (Grade 1), over 2m4f, also on March 13th last. Upgraded to Grade 1 status since last year, this race looked wide open from the outset and became less of a puzzle with the departure of Oscar Whisky (9/2) and Mozoltov (11/1) at the very first fence. With a stop start gallop, McCoy chose to hold up Taquin Du Seuil and after slow jumps at the 4th and 12th fences, he took closer order to the fourth last jump. With Uxizandre (33/1) bounding along in front, McCoy pushed Taquin Du Seuil into a share of second place as they approached the second last. Clearly going well, McCoy produced his mount to challenge the long time leader Uxizandre over the last fence and getting the full McCoy treatment, Tarquin Du Seuil showed his gameness, staying on well to edge ahead inside the final 100yds, winning by three quarters of a length.

Recording his eighth win in total and now a dual Grade 1 winner over both hurdles and fences, this seven year old son of Voix Du Nord, looks a likely Gold Cup contender in 2015. Jonjo O'Neill now moves onto the 124 winner mark for the 2013-14 jumps season and is now only 2 wins off equalling his all time best winning total of 126.

HOLYWELL GIVES McLERNON BACK TO BACK FESTIVAL WINS

Liscarroll native and jump jockey, Richie McLernon, had a week to remember riding two winners, the most notable of which came aboard the Jonjo O'Neill trained Holywell, who took the 23 runner Baylis & Harding Handicap Chase (Grade3), over 3m at Cheltenham, on March 11th last.

Recording back to back festival wins, this seven year old son of Gold Well was making his handicap chase debut in what could only be described as one of the most competitive races of the season. Allotted a mark of 145, five pounds higher than his winning Pertemps Hurdle mark, Holywell, with blinkers reapplied, looked a different proposition around this course. Ridden handy, off a strong pace by McLernon, a slow jump at the 12th fence didn't halt his progress and Holywell travelled like a dream through this race.

Taking closer order to three out, Holywell's main rival Ma Filleule (33/1) blundered badly, with his rider Nico De Boinville losing an iron for fully five strides. Off the home-turn and Ma Filleule had regained the lead jumping the second last, with Holywell sitting on his tail waiting to pounce.

Practically together jumping the last and some seven lengths clear of the field, Holywell and Ma Filleule settled down to fight this one out up the daunting Cheltenham hill. A typical Cheltenham dual ensued, with Holywell wearing down his rival inside the last 100yds, going on to win by almost two lengths at the line. Holywell was recording his 5th win in total and is now two from two at Cheltenham.

Richie McLernon, speaking exclusively to The Avondhu, said, “Holywell really comes alive at Cheltenham, He's a pleasure to ride and I was just lucky enough to be on him.”

McLernon's second winner again came aboard the Jonjo O'Neill trained Lost Legend (9/1), who took the feature Kempton Park Silver Bowl Chase (C2), over 2m4f on March 15th last.

In a race that was open to horses who were eliminated from any handicap chase at this year’s Cheltenham festival, Lost Legend made short work of his rivals here. Always travelling well for McLernon, he took up the running well over three fences from home and when challenged by Nearest The Pin (20/1) over the final two obstacles, found that bit more to assert on the run-in and win handy by three quarters of a length.

Recording his fourth win from 16 starts, this seven year old son of Winged Love, looks well treated off a mark of just 124 and is likely to progress further, given dryer ground and a sympathetic handicapper.

Jonjo O'Neill, winning trainer, went onto say, “He was never going to get into those Cheltenham races and this was a much better target. He definitely wants better ground.”

Richie McLernon was riding his 24th winner of the season.

CLOUDING 'STARS' UNDER LINEHAN

Fermoy native and conditional jump jockey, Maurice Linehan, rode his 13th winner of the season aboard the Jonjo O'Neill trained Cloudingstar (2/1f), in the 7 runner Burns Healthy Pet Handicap Chase, over 2m5f at Ffos Las, on March 16th last.

Having only his second chase start, this seven year son of Cloudings and half brother to high class chaser Flemenstar, was recording his second win in total, almost a year to the day since his maiden hurdle win at Warwick.

Dropped into about fourth position, off an even early pace set by Tuskar Rock (4/1), Cloudingstar settled and jumped well in Linehan's hands. Always in prime position, Linehan sat quiet as Tuskar Rock came under a ride fully four out. With Supreme Bob (7/1) travelling equally as well upsides Cloudingstar, three horses rose in unison over the third last. A good accurate jump at the second last took Linehan into the lead and there was little chance of him forfeiting that lead, once over the last. Pushed out hands and heels, Cloudingstar stayed on well, to win going away by three lengths, from Tuskar Rock back in second place.

There is no doubt that Cloudingstar looks more at ease in less testing ground conditions and off a mark of just 105 could be one to follow up, if not too harshly treated by the handicapper. Maurice Linehan, winning jockey, went onto say, “He handled the ground, but he would probably struggle at a higher level than that.”

SATANIC NEVER MISSED A BEAT UNDER HARDING

Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding, equalled last season’s winning total of 28, aboard the Jedd O'Keeffe trained Satanic Beat (9/1), in the Mtrec Recruitment Handicap Hurdle (C3), over 2m at Newcastle, on March 15th last.

Off the track since early December 2013, this five year old son of Dark Angel, was recording his first win over hurdles, having previously been a smart performer on the flat, with four wins.

A small field of seven runners didn't deter from a good early pace set by Circus Star (10/3), with Harding happy to track that lead, close up all the way. Leading and travelling well before the third last, Satanic Beat bounded clear approaching the second last.

Spring-heeled at that flight, he only had one challenger left in the shape of Fisher (9/1), who looked a big threat on landing over the final flight. Two lengths up and separated by half the width of the Newcastle straight, Harding got busy, as Fisher closed to within one length, halfway up the run-in. Ridden out, he got the desired response from his willing partner, who on sensing Fisher closing, pulled out a bit more close home. A winning margin of almost two lengths was recorded, with a further 23 lengths back to the third placed horse and favourite, Cool Sky (5/2f).

Having only his second run in handicap company, Satanic Beat, winning here off a mark of 114, looks to have translated his good flat form to hurdles. He has the option to go back into novice company with a penalty, if the handicapper is too harsh and takes this win at face value.

'NOVA' STILL SHINES BRIGHT FOR KENIRY

Killeagh native and flat jockey, Liam Keniry, kept up his good run of form, riding yet another winner aboard the Neil Mulholland trained Novabridge (6/4f), in the Bet Late At Cheltenham Handicap (C6), over 5f at Kempton Park, on March 12th last.

With two non-runners reducing this field to just six, Novabridge was sent to post a well supported favourite, for this very winnable looking contest. Held up in rear by Keniry, off what looked a strong pace, set by Johnny Splash (5/1), Novabridge travelled nicely to halfway. Set alight off the home turn, Novabridge caught the eye making stealthy headway to the outside of runners. With Quality Art (5/1) hitting the front fully two furlongs out, Novabridge collared and passed that leader well inside the final 100yds, going on to win cosily in the end, by three quarters of a length.

Recording his 9th win in total, the last of which was in Les Landes, Jersey, in August 2013, this six year old son of Avonbridge was winning here off a mark of 65, his highest winning mark to date.

Neil Mulholland, winning trainer, went onto say, “He has been a great little horse for me, winning seven races over five furlongs.”

Liam Keniry was recording his 21st winner of the season.

Total UK wins 2014 = 88; total wins Dubai = 3.

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