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One of the quieter weeks for winners since this column began, producing four winners.

One of the quieter weeks for winners since this column began, producing four winners in total for Mssrs O'Neill, O'Leary, Harding and Keniry.

Killeagh native and jump jockey, Barry Keniry was back amongst the winners aboard the James Turner trained, Local Present, in a Class 5 Handicap Chase over 2m1f at Hexham on October 12th last.

Coming back off a six month break and having his first start for new trainer, this 10 year old Presenting gelding was dropped back in trip and recording his sixth win under rules, having previously won his point to point at Inch under Paul Cashman back in 2008.

In a nine runner field, Keniry jumped Local Present off handy, tracking the early pace set by Prince Tam (6/1). Settled in third position to the outside, Keniry's mount jumped well and taking closer order at the seventh fence, he could be seen travelling smoothly.

Joining Prince Tam going to the second last, a slow deliberate jump cost Local Present vital ground but, gathered in by Keniry, he was soon back alongside the leader and travelling best. Sweeping around Prince Tam into the home straight, Keniry took the lead going to the last and although slow at the final obstacle, landed running and stayed on strongly to win going away by two and a quarter lengths.

A horse that can be traced back to Ballyclough, Kilworth, Local Present, bred by John Quane, looks to be well treated off a handicap mark of just 77 here. Formerly rated 108, he seems to have benefitted from a change of scenery and a drop back in distance. He is a horse to note in the coming weeks as he seems to have retained plenty of enthusiasm for the game and should have little issue in defying a penalty if turned out quickly over the next week or so.

This was Turner's fourth runner over jumps this season and his third winner. He also has a great win strike rate on the flat this season, where he has had 8 winners from just 18 starters.

Harding Sails Home On Streams Of Whiskey

Castletownroche native and jump jockey Brian Harding, followed up on last week's brace of winners with another win aboard the Nicky Richards' trained Streams Of Whiskey (9/1), in a Class 4 novice handicap chase over 2m4f at Hexham on October 12th.

Recording his second win from just eight starts, this six year old Spadoun gelding, was making his handicap debut over the bigger obstacles, carrying a welter-weight of 11-12.

Jumping off in front in this 11 runner contest, Harding and Streams Of Whiskey were soon joined and passed by the free going Ballycool(4/1), who jumped his way to the head of proceedings turning into the home straight, first time around.

Settled now in second place, Harding got some great leaps from his mount and joining Ballycool going the second last, looked to be well in control. But a slow jump at that fence handed the advantage back to Ballycool. Ridden now again to join that rival turning into the home straight, Streams Of Whiskey kicked on going two to three lengths clear. A big jump at the final fence helped his cause and with Highbury High (6/1) bearing down on him up the long run-in, Harding had to get serious with his mount. Streams Of Whiskey responded well to his jockey's urgings and stayed on strongly for a three length win.

The Nicky Richards' trained gelding has now won both his races in October, nearly a year apart and has in the past finished second in point to points at both Tallow and Dromahane. He holds another entry at Wetherby on the 16th of October and would take a bit of beating if showing up there. Still looking novice but safe at his jumps, he looks to have good future as a staying chaser and is the right hands to fulfill that potential.

Champagne pops his cork for O'Neill

Castletownroche native and trainer, Jonjo O'Neill introduced a nice youngster in the shape of Champagne At Tara (11/4f) in a Class 6 Bumper over 2m1f at Newton Abbot on October 11.

This four year old grey son of Kayf Tara left a favourable impression after finishing second in his only previous start in a point to point last March at Oldcastle. The subsequent winner of that point, Very Wood went on to to land the Punchestown festival bumper and it was no surprise to see this striking steel grey go on to sell for £110,000 at the Brightwell Sales at Cheltenham last April.

Joining O'Neill's Jackdaw stables for owner JP McManus, Champagne At Tara was making his racecourse debut in the hands of champion jockey, Tony McCoy. Sent to post market leader, McCoy settled his mount just off a steady early pace set by Fireweld (100/1). With horses stacking up behind off this slow pace, Richard Johnson was having the most trouble settling his mount August Hill(5/1) and the pair duly pulled their way to lead from last position. McCoy, alert to the danger, always travelled well and tanking to the five pole, took on and passed August Hill. Asked to go about his business from the two furlong marker, Champagne At Tara was a willing partner and although showing some signs of immaturity, stayed on strongly from the persistent challenge of Assam Black (3/1), to win going away by one and three quarter lengths.

This may have been an above average bumper and the first two home here look like nice prospects that should go on to better things in future races. O'Neill was recording his 66th winner of the 2013-2014 jumps season.

O'Leary Making Waves On Old Stomping Ground

Castlelyons native and trainer, Ronnie O'Leary returned to his old stomping ground of Carlisle with a winner in the shape of racecourse débutante Ocean Waves (5/4f) in a Class 6 bumper over 2m1f on October 11.

Ridden by Jason Maguire, this four year old son of Grange stallion Milan, was backed as if defeat was out of the question and duly obliged when push came to shove up the stiff Carlisle hill.

O'Leary, based in Killaloe, has a reputation of getting a newcomer ready to roll first time of asking and this was his fifth bumper winner in the UK from just 18 runners. Bought as a three year old for 12,000gns at Tattersalls last summer, Ocean Waves will now no doubt be sold by his owner/trainer's wife, Vicky O'Leary. Closely related to the smart Tom Taaffe trained Coral Cup hurdle winner, Ninetieth Minute, Ocean Waves could make up into a smashing hurdle prospect with another year under its belt.

O'Leary who has his horses in fine form, also went on to record a winner at Limerick on Monday last with One Fine Morning (5/1) for owner JP McManus. On a day that saw in the region of £500,000 raised for the Jockeys Emergency Fund, it was a fitting winner for McManus, who no doubt was the driving force behind this special race day at Limerick, which helped raise much needed funds for seriously injured jockeys, JT McNamara and Jonjo Bright.

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