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A bumper weekend for Avondhu area connections abroad, with 9 winners from Week 14.

WEEK 14: 31st Mar-6th Apr '14

For the third week running we have 9 winners combined from 8 Avondhu area locals in the UK. On a week where the Grand National took centre stage, Jonjo O'Neill took the honours with Grade 1 winner Holywell, at Aintree.

HOLYWELL PANNING FOR GOLD

Castletownroche native and trainer, Jonjo O'Neill, added two more winners to his record-breaking season. His Jackdaws team’s most notable win came with Holywell, who took the 6 runner Grade 1 Mildway Novices Chase (C1), over 3m1f at Aintree, on April 4th last.

Ridden by Tony McCoy, this seven year old son of Gold Well was bidding to follow up his recent Cheltenham win and cross-over into the echelons of top Grade 1 staying chaser. This he achieved in no uncertain terms, routing a classy but select field in the process.

McCoy took the race on well before halfway, asking some big questions of his mount, who duly responded with added vigour. Making most of the running, Holywell was ridden clear approaching two out and had the race well sewn up before jumping the last, galloping on relentlessly to the line. He had some ten lengths to spare over Don Cossack, himself no slouch.

Holywell now has to be considered a Gold Cup contender and given his liking for Prestbury Park, he could well live up to those high expectations. Connections will certainly know what it takes to win a Gold Cup and although not the biggest, Holywell's jumping is improving with experience. Winning off a mark of 145 at Cheltenham and with the form franked by the second, Holywell won here more like a 165+ horse. The sky now is seemingly the limit for the Mrs Gay Smith owned gelding. Jonjo O'Neill, winning trainer, went onto say, “He's definitely in the Gold Cup bracket. He surprised me, I thought he'd go there with his chance, but he jumped and travelled, doing it really well.”

O'Neill now moves onto the 129 winner mark for the season.

SWEET SIXTEEN 'ON THE RECORD' FOR LINEHAN

Jonjo O'Neill's second winner came with Fermoy native and conditional jump jockey, Maurice Linehan in the plate. Linehan took his season’s tally to 16, aboard the J.P. McManus owned, On The Record, in the 15 runner Unibet Novices Hurdles, over 2m4f at Chepstow, on April 5th last.

Sent to post race favourite, this six year old son of Presenting, was breaking his maiden tag, on this, his sixth start. With rain getting into the ground, On The Record was keen early doors, off what looked an ordinary pace, set by Lady Fingers. Tracking that pace, Linehan settled his mount well and as the field bunched to three out, he was sighted only two lengths off a persistently game leader.

Now ridden, but still looking to be travelling well, On The Record, came to challenge to the outside of Lady Fingers at the second last. Closing that gap to just half a length, Linehan looked confident on the long run to the last. Joining Lady Fingers and Jamie Bargary over the last, On The Record landed running and driven out by Linehan, stayed on strongly, to win going away by one and a quarter lengths.

Showing plenty improvement since returning from his winter break, On The Record looks a well handicapped horse on a mark of just 99. He should go on from this and could make up into a nice summer ground horse. Maurice Linehan, speaking exclusively to The Avondhu, said, “On The Record jumped well and put his head down when he needed too, he's a nice prospect.”

RING WINTERS WELL

Freemount native and conditional jump jockey, Conor Ring, is now just one winner off reducing his claim to 5Lb. He took the 12 runner Bookmakers.co.uk Handicap Hurdle (C4), over 2m1f at Sedgefield, on April 4th last, aboard the Jennie Candlish trained Wintered Well.

Bidding to follow up his recent Uttoxeter win six days earlier, this six year old son of Milan was sent to post a warm odds-on favourite.

Sitting not far off a fair gallop, set by Wilde Pastures, Ring bided his time early doors, getting his mount into a good jumping rhythm. Pushed up to take closer order after the third last flight, Wintered Well was now just a length off the leader and ready to pounce off the home turn. Joining Wilde Pastures on the run downhill to the second last, both horses met that flight in unison. With a long run to the last hurdle, Ring got down to business and steadily drew clear. Spring-heeled at the last, Wintered Well put more daylight between himself and his rivals. Staying on well, he galloped on resolutely to the line, going on to win easily, by some six lengths.

Recording his fourth win from just 12 starts, off a mark of 107 here, Wintered Well has now improved two stone plus in the ratings, winning his first handicap hurdle off a mark of 83. He is highly progressive and may be seen chasing early next season. Conor Ring, speaking exclusively to The Avondhu, said, “I think he will be better again over a trip.”

Ring was riding his 13th winner of the season.

'ONE FOR' HARDING

Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding, kept up his good run in the saddle, recording his 32nd winner of the season aboard the Nicky Richards’ trained One For Harry, taking the 5 runner St John Lee Handicap Hurdle (C4), over 2m4f at Hexham, on March 31st last.

Last seen pulling up at Ayr in early January, this six year old son of Generous was all the rage here, in what seemed a weak looking race. Disputing the lead with Persian Herald for much of the way, One For Harry was sloppy at his jumps and consistently lost ground. Still upsides Persian Herald as they approached two out, One For Harry was again not as fluent as the leader. Turning into the home straight a length down, Harding found himself back on the bridle and swooping past Persian Herald, he duly kicked clear going to the last.

Another bad jump at the last gave Persian Herald a chance, but driven out, The Fife Boys owned gelding responded well to pressure and stayed on strongly to win with a bit in hand, by two lengths.

Winning here off his highest handicap mark of 118, One For Harry will have to improve his jumping on this evidence. He holds another engagement at Ayr, on April 11th next.

LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER WINNER FOR O'BRIEN

Mitchelstown native and conditional jump jockey, Paul O'Brien, was back in the winners’ enclosure, aboard the Rebecca Curtis trained Lookslikerainted, when taking the 6 runner Toteplacepot Maiden Hurdle (C4), over 2m4f at Ffos Las, on April 6th last.

Returning to this course and distance, after a promising run in second 10 days earlier, this seven year old son of Milan absolutely pulverised this small field of runners. In very testing ground conditions, Lookslikerainted had only one serious rival on paper, that of odds-on race favourite Thomas Junior. Tracking the early pace set by Thomas Junior, O'Brien made stout headway to join and pass that leader before the fourth last. Seemingly the only horse travelling, O'Brien kicked on and quickly put acres of space between himself and the field. Jumping the last three flights in splendid isolation, O'Brien could afford the luxury of a few quick glances over his shoulder, a distance clear of Tetralogy, who literally walked home exhausted, back in second place.

Not an easier winner will O'Brien ride all season. Lightly raced for a seven year old, on this only his second racecourse start, Lookslikerainted looks a nice staying prospect and is in the right yard to fulfil that potential.

Paul O'Brien was riding his 5th winner of the season.

'YES' INDEED FOR SI SENOR

Rockmills native and trainer, Ed Vaughan, recorded his 6th winner of the season with Si Senor, who took the 8 runner TurfTV Handicap (C6), over 1m at Kempton Park, on March 31st last.

Ridden by Freddie Tylicki, this three year old son of Dansili was heavily supported in the betting ring and coming here off a 5 month break, looked fresh and well for this, his handicap debut. Tracking the early pace, in prime position, Si Senor travelled smoothly through this race and could be called the winner a long way from home. Brought wide of runners, after working his way into contention off the home-turn, Tylicki nudged his mount into the lead, fully one furlong out. Staying on well, Si Senor saw off the determined challenge of Baltic Fire, who just wouldn't go away.

Holding on by a neck at the post, Vaughan's charge won with a bit more in hand than the official winning distance suggested. Winning here off a mark of 65, on this, his fourth racecourse start, Si Senor, who is well related on his mother’s side, can go onto better things in time.

Ed Vaughan, speaking exclusively to The Avondhu, said “He seems to have come out of this race well and we may focus on an all-weather campaign. We await the handicapper’s reassessment for this win.”

KENIRY SERVES UP A TREAT ON 'DISHY'

Killeagh native and flat jockey, Liam Keniry, recorded his 26th winner of the season, aboard the Michael Blanshard trained Dishy Guru, who took the 9 runner Bookmakers.co.uk Handicap (C6), over 5f at Lingfield Park, on April 2nd last.

Sent to post market leader, this five year old son of Ishiguru, literally cruised through this sprint and never looked in any trouble. Held up in midfield, Keniry was sighted with a double handful as he entered the home straight. Challenging front runner Johnny Splash up the centre of the course, Dishy Guru passed him as if he was standing still. Pushed out hands and heels, the Clifton Partners owned gelding strode clear and won with what looked like plenty in hand. Winning here off a handicap mark of just 57, having previously won off 75, Dishy Guru looks to be turning into a Lingfield course specialist, having now won four times from just 11 starts at the track. He seems a ready made sprinter since being dropped back to the minimum trip and with blinkers applied, looks well ahead of his mark on this evidence.

ANIKNAM ANNIHILATES OPPOSITION UNDER KENIRY

Killeagh native and jump jockey, Barry Keniry, rode yet another winner for in-form trainer Philip Kirby, when taking the 9 runner Hexham For Tourists National Hunt Flat Race (C6), over 2m at Hexham, on March 31st last, aboard Aniknam.

Making his racecourse debut, this four year old son of Nickname, came here with a bit of a home reputation and was duly supported into race favouritism. Taking a keen hold early doors, Keniry dropped his mount in and making smooth headway to halfway, tagged onto the front three, with half a mile to go. Cruising in fourth position and still running green and in snatches, Keniry asked Aniknam for more effort off the home turn. With the response instant, Aniknam picked up the leaders easily, striding clear on the downhill run for home. Galloping on effortlessly, he put clear daylight between himself and his rivals, looking different class, with an eased down ten length win.

This French bred looks a smart recruit for Kirby, who went onto say “He's one of the better bumper horses we've got. All his work has been good. We'll see how he is before making plans.”

Barry Keniry was riding his 12th winner of the season.

Total UK wins 2014 = 115; total wins Dubai = 3.

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