Massive 14 winners recorded during Week 46

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Massive 14 winners recorded during Week 46

Castletownroche native Jonjo O’Neill topped the winners list from Week 46, with 4 victories – his most notable success came with the return of former Grade 1 World Hurdle winner, More Of That (15/8f), who went on to take a novices’ chase at Cheltenham.

Barry O’Neill

Wednesday, 25 November 2015
10:00 AM GMT



WEEK 46: MONDAY, 9 NOV. – SUNDAY, 15 NOV.

A staggering 14 winners from 7 individuals to report on from Avondhu area locals, from those based, as well as not based, in the UK. We had four winners from Jonjo O'Neill, three winners apiece from Brian Harding and Liam Keniry and one winner each from Martin Lane, David O'Meara, Johnny Burke and Ronnie O'Leary. Our combined 2015 winners tally now stands at 431.

LET'S BE HAVIN' MORE OF THAT

Castletownroche native and trainer, Jonjo O'Neill, reached the 50 winner mark for the 2015-16 jumps season, with four winners last week. His most notable success came with the much-anticipated return of former Grade 1 World Hurdle winner, More Of That (15/8f), who went on to take the 7 runner Steel Plate And Sections Novices' Chase (C2), over 20.5f, at Cheltenham on November 13th last. More Of That had a lot to live up to with this race steeped in history and producing such winners as Denman, Imperial Commander, Grand Crus, Dynaste and O'Neill's Taquin Du Seuil. Returning to the track after a near year’s absence, this seven-year-old gelded son of Beneficial was making his chase debut and had to prove he was over the physical issues that ailed him last season.

Striking off close up to the early leader, As De Mee, More Of That jumped well and accurate as this race progressed and showed all his old zest. With As De Mee jumping right when hassled in front by Ballyalton and others making novice type errors, Geraghty made his move at the top of the hill, going down to three out. Travelling well with the leader firmly in sight, More Of That came to challenge As De Mee approaching the last. Spring-heeled and leading over the final fence, Geraghty had little concern, as he rode More Of That out to the line for an easy looking two and a half length success, from the long-time leader, As De Mee, back in second.

Recording his 6th win from 7 starts, this JP McManus owned gelding, now looks on course to top the novice chaser staying ranks, with the RSA Chase at Cheltenham the obvious target. With all his reported ailments internal (wind/bursting), it is hoped that he can reach his full potential over fences. He next entry is in the Grade 1 Drinmore Novices' Chase at Fairyhouse, on November 29th next. Whether he runs there is open to debate.

Jonjo O'Neill, winning trainer, went on to say, “More Of That is a lovely horse to deal with. He was a good horse over hurdles and hopefully he'll be a better horse over fences. You have to have luck, obviously, but he's a proper horse.”

O'Neill went on to record another three winners and they were, in date order, Matorico (11/4), who took out the 11 runner Racing Post Owners Novices' Hurdle, over 16f, at Huntingdon on November 10th, under Richard Johnson; Monbeg Gold (4/6f), who followed up his win over the same course and distance, eight days earlier, when taking the 6 runner Veterans And Serving Military H'cap Hurdle (C4), over 23f, at Exeter on November 11th, also under Johnson; and finally, the Noel Fehily ridden, Compadre (5/4f), who scored on debut in the 7 runner Treasure Beach Hotel National Hunt Flat Race (C6) over 16.5f, at Bangor, also on November 11th.

MATTIE'S PERSEVERANCE PAYS OFF UNDER IN FORM HARDING

Castletownroche native and jockey, Brian Harding, kept up his good November run, with three more winners from the saddle in Week 46. His most notable win came aboard the Nick Alexander trained Another Mattie (9/1), who took the 12 runner Racing UK H'cap Hurdle (C4), over 21.5f, at Ayr on November 11th last. Dropping to an all-time low handicap hurdle mark of 104, this 8-year-old gelded son of Zagreb, was also upped in trip in his quest for that elusive first win under rules, on this, his 22nd attempt.

In touch towards the outside, as Solway Prince cut out an ordinary looking pace, Another Mattie looked to travel better than ever before throughout this race. Finding himself going so well and aware that stamina would come to the fore, Harding made his move early at the end of the back straight. Challenging the long-time leader, Solway Prince, before the fourth last, he found himself in front over four out and with a few rivals trying their best to peg him back, this Quandt and Cochrane owned gelding was to have his day. Ridden out after jumping the last, Another Mattie strode clear up the run-in, going on to win by some ten lengths from race favourite, Tantamount, back in second place. It was a further one and a quarter lengths back to Cruchan, in third.

Finally recording his first success since his debut point-to-point win back in 2012, Another Mattie looks to have benefited from a real test of stamina in trying ground conditions. Nick Alexander, winning trainer, went on to say, “Another Mattie deserved that as he's been second five times. It was nice to see him improve for the step up in trip.”

Harding went on to record another two winners, which included an Ayr double, on November 11th. The second leg of that near 110/1 double was brought up by the Iain Jardine trained, My Little Cracker (10/1), who scored in the 7 runner Racing UK Mares National Hunt Flat Race (C6), over 16f.

Harding's final winner came earlier in the week, aboard the Nicky Richards trained, Baywing (1/1f), who won the 5 runner 188Bet Novices' H'cap Hurdle (C4), over 20f, at Carlisle on November 9th. Harding now sits on the 19 winner mark for the season.

KENIRY CHARGES THROUGH 50 WINNER MARK

Killeagh native and flat jockey, Liam Keniry, easily moved through the half century barrier, with three winners in Week 46, taking his 2015 total on to the 51 winner mark. His most notable winner came aboard the Willie Musson trained, Candyman Can (8/1), who scored in the 14 runner, 32Red H'cap, over 11f at Kempton Park, on November 11th last. Off the track for almost 8 months and having only his second start for Musson, this five-year-old gelded son of Holy Roman Emperor, was also dropped into class 6 company for the first time in over two years.

Well away from an outside draw, Keniry soon had his mount settled well just off the early pacesetter, Alya's Emperor, who only held the lead for the first furlong, as Time Square took over in front. Always noted travelling well in Keniry's hands, Candyman Can made his winning move well over two furlongs out as the field entered the top of the home straight. Challenging and heading Time Square, this Miss A. Jones owned gelding galloped all over this field, and ridden out well inside the final furlong, he had little trouble asserting close home, going on to win by some two and a half lengths, from Thane Of Cawdor, back in second. It was a further one and a quarter lengths back to Baker, in third.

Recording his second win from 16 starts, Candyman Can last tasted success in a 12f Lingfield all-weather maiden back in January 2014. Also tried over hurdles and a visually imposing tank of a horse, he looks better on a synthetic surface than turf. Rated 65 here, he has scope to improve further and this has to go down as a good piece of training. Keniry was having his first ride for Musson in over 5 years and Candyman Can holds another race entry on November 18th, back at Kempton Park.

Liam Keniry, winning jockey, speaking to The Avondhu, said, “Candyman Can won well and could be very well handicapped. He's a big strong horse and has improved for going to Willie's. Hopefully, he can run up a sequence of wins.”

Keniry went on to ride another two winners, both for trainer Neil Mulholland, and they were, in date order: Kristal Hart (5/1), who won the 8 runner Chelmsford City Racecourse 50th Raceday H'cap (C6), over 10f, at Chelmsford on November12th and Lions Charge (3/1Jf), who went on to take the 11 runner Coral Classified Stakes (C6), over 9.5f, at Wolverhampton on November 13th last.

SNOW CLOUD CONSISTENCY GAINS JUST REWARD

Fermoy native and trainer, David O'Meara, registered his 119th winner of 2015 with the Danny Tudhope ridden, Snow Cloud (5/1), who took the 9 runner Unibet H'cap (C4), over 5f, at Southwell on November 12th last. Making her fibresand debut and second all-weather start in total, this three-year-old Kodiac filly was unlucky last time out at Nottingham not to finish closer than third behind Rita's Boy.

Well away in this straight five-furlong race, Snow Cloud was dropped into mid-division, as three horses, Samhain, Red Stripes and Borough Boy, cut out a hectic looking pace. With the leaders trying to quicken the gallop passing the three-furlong marker, Tudhope found himself slightly outpaced but soon back on the bridle come the two-furlong mark. Asked to quicken and come alongside the leaders just outside the one and a half pole, Snow Cloud picked up nicely and hitting the front just outside the furlong marker, she stretched out nicely in conditions, going on to win with little fuss, by one and three-quarter lengths, from Red Stripes back in second. It was a further neck back to Sir Billy Wright in third.

Recording her third win from 18 starts, this Middleham Park owned filly, had placed in the first three no less than 12 times. Rewarded for her consistency, she was winning here off a mark of 80, some 5lb higher than her last highest winning mark of 75. She also has a solid run on the Tapeta surface at Wolverhampton, and could well be kept going through the winter. Snow Cloud also holds a sales entry on December 2nd next, at Tattersalls.

OLIVER STORMS TO FACILE WIN UNDER LANE

Kilworth native and flat jockey, Martin Lane, recorded another winner in the week gone by aboard the David Dennis trained, Wink Oliver (5/1Cf), who went on to take the 11 runner Totesport H'cap (C5), over 7f, at Chelmsford on November 12th last. Making his third start in two weeks, since being transferred to Dennis, this three-year-old gelded son of Winker Watson, came into this race off a solid fourth last time out, at Kempton.

Mounted outside the paddock and with a disadvantaged draw wide in ten, Wink Oliver didn't help his cause early with a tardy start which left him last, off a solid pace set by Putin. With the leaders going hard in front and always likely to suffer the consequences late on, Lane switched right towards the outside to make his final challenge a clear one down the home straight. With a new leader in Exceeding Power taking over in front and seemingly going well, Wink Oliver was sighted coming with a devastating run widest of all and hitting the front just inside the final furlong, this P & L Partners owned gelding, powered home for an easy success by one length from Lady Lydia, back in second. It was a further three-quarters of a length back to Exceeding Power, in third.

Recording his third win, all of which have now come over 7f, on an all-weather surface, Wink Oliver looks to have put in a lifetime best performance here off an official handicap mark of 69. His highest winning mark in the past was 63 and for a 26 time raced three-year-old, he shows plenty of finishing kick. This race set-up nicely for him and he holds a further two entries on November 19th and 20th, at Lingfield and Wolverhampton respectively.

Lane has built up a good working relationship with Dennis and their record now stands at 7 wins from 26 starts this season. Martin Lane, winning rider, speaking to The Avondhu, said, “Wink Oliver had run two really good races since joining David and was entitled to go off favourite. He jumped awkwardly and slow but luckily they went hard in front and were coming back to me come the final bend. He did it comfortably in the end but like all horses at this level he isn't guaranteed to repeat it the next day.”

Lane was riding his 46th winner of the season.

O'LEARY STRIKES GOLD WITH THREE WAYS

Castlelyons native and trainer, Ronnie O'Leary, is always a man to note when he sends a bumper horse across the Irish Sea, especially near a big sale and he duly struck gold again with the Dougie Costello ridden, Three Ways (7/4Jf), who went on to take the 7 runner 188bet National Hunt Flat Race (C6), over 17f, at Carlisle on Monday, November 9th. Winning easily, this four-year-old gelded son of Flemensfirth subsequently went on to be sold at the Cheltenham sales, on Friday last, for a mammoth sum of £190,000 sterling or €269,000. Costing 26,000gns as a three-year-old and owned by O'Leary's wife, Three Ways was bought by agents, Tom Malone and Jamie Snowden for a client undisclosed. A nice touch by anyone's standards.

BURKE RAIDS BANGOR WITH FREEBEE

Glengoura native and jump jockey, Johnny Burke, also crossed over to the UK for a winning ride aboard the Mark Fahey trained, Its'Afreebee (15/8f), won took the 9 runner Broncroft Novices' Hurdle (C4), over 16.5f, at Bangor on November 11th last. Fahey based in Cloneygath, Co. Kildare, was sending out his first UK jumps winner after two successes on the flat. Heavily supported into favouritism, Its'Afreebee, a bumper winner in Ireland, made short work of his rivals on his hurdling debut, winning by 8 lengths.

UK flat/jumps 2015 = 427; Ireland = 1; France = 2; Canada = 1.



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