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Brian Harding, David O’Meara and Martin Lane were winners from Week 50, bringing the combined total winners to 443 to date for 2014.

WEEK 50: 8th-14th DECEMBER 2014

Another 4 winners to report on from Avondhu area locals based in the UK, this being our final column before the Christmas break and bringing our combined total for 2014 up to 443 winners.

HARDING FIRES IN NEWCASTLE DOUBLE

Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding, added a further two winners to his ever increasing jump season total, which now stands on 34 winners. His most notable winner came aboard the Pauline Robson trained, Scimon Templar (6/1), who took the 7 runner P.D. Ports Novices' Handicap Chase (C4), over 20f, at Newcastle on December 11th last.

Making only his second chase start and coming here off the back of a tame, pulled up effort over hurdles at Carlisle last time out, this six year old French-bred gelded son of Saint Des Saints, looked well treated off a handicap mark of just 95, having ran well previously off a rating of 100 over the smaller obstacles.

Dropped out a detached last, in the early stages of this contest, Harding was content to let his mount find his feet, as a contested honest pace was set by Aye Well and Be A Dreamer, over the first five fences. Going out on the final circuit and Scimon Templar took closer order, tagging onto the back of the chasing pack, as the field rounded the by-passed sixth fence. The landscape of this race changed dramatically over the seventh fence, as both Be A Dreamer and Coquet Head, fell independently of each another, leaving Aye Well in front and reducing the field down to five runners.

Staying clear of trouble, Scimon Templar made his first serious mistake jumping the eight fence, finding himself again in last position and having to make up ground between fences. Slow again and diving at the fourth last, Harding gathered up his mount as, Cousin Guillaume, took over in the lead from a faltering Aye Well, who faded badly, eventually pulling up.

Turning in at the top of the home straight, Scimon Templar moved menacingly into second place, as Cousin Guillaume cried enough in front over three out and Wakhan came through to join Harding upsides over the second last. Running down to the last fence and both horses were inseparable, with Harding asking for and getting a huge leap from Scimon Templar. With added momentum, Scimon Templar found himself in front and staying on strongly, he repelled the challenge of Wakhan, going onto win by three lengths at the line.

Finally breaking his maiden tag at the 15th time of asking, this Raymond Anderson Green owned gelding looks to have found his feet over the bigger obstacles and although not fluent at times, he warmed to his task well and can now realise his full potential over staying trips. Pauline Robson, winning trainer, went onto say, "He's a bit clumsy and not the best of jumpers. Brian has given him a brilliant ride."

Harding completed a double on the same Newcastle card, aboard the Nicky Richards trained Western Rules (4/7f), who took the I.T.P.S. National Hunt Flat Race (C6), over 16f. Following up last month’s course and distance debut win, under an added penalty, this four year old gelded son of Westerner, looks to have all the right attributes going forward and will making a smashing hurdler in time. It takes a fair horse to defy a penalty in this kind of race, especially in December and Western Rules look a classy recruit for his Greystoke trainer.

Nicky Richards, winning trainer, went onto say, "I'm delighted with him. Any horse who wins two bumpers is doing well. Like most Westerner's, he likes the soft ground and he's a proper jumping horse in the making."

EARTH DRUMS UP POTENTIAL AS WINTER DERBY CANDIDATE

Fermoy native and trainer, David O'Meara, took his 2014 UK total onto the 110 winner mark, with the Danny Tudhope ridden, Earth Drummer (9/2), who took the 8 runner Coral Handicap (C2), over 9.5f, at Wolverhampton on December 13th last.

Having his fourth course start in a row and back up in trip after winning and placing four times over shorter distances on his last five runs, this ex-Irish four year old gelded son of Dylan Thomas, was sent to post a fancied contender in this smart looking contest. Settled in third last position, off an honest pace, set by Spes Nostra, Earth Drummer bided his time up the inside of runners, as the leader set a stop-start gallop going to the halfway point.

Stacking up the runners behind him and controlling the fractions, Spes Nostra stole a march on his rivals well inside the final three furlongs and bounded some three lengths clear of the chasing pack entering the home straight. Wise to the move, Tudhope began his run fully two furlongs out and switching his mount to challenge between Flow and Maverick Wave, he slowly but surely gathered in Spes Nostra well inside the final 100yds.

With a perfectly timed run, Tudhope produced his mount with a withering run, to win, going away by half a length at the line. Spes Nostra hung on well for second place, with Solar Deity a further half a length back in third place position.

Recording his third and most important win, from just 12 starts, Earth Drummer gave a career best performance here, seemingly relishing this step up in trip. Formerly trained in Ireland by Jim Bolger, this Middleham Park Racing owned gelding, can go onto better things and will undoubtedly be given his chance to earn some black type in future contests. Game and versatile, he could well make up into a Lingfield Winter Derby horse come March 2015.

Winning here off a mark of 95, he will be reassessed as a 100 plus horse come his next run. Dubai may also be on the agenda if getting that all important invite.

CAMINEL CUTS DOWN DARK UNDER LANE

Kilworth native and flat jockey, Martin Lane, rode his 46th UK winner of 2014, aboard the Jeremy Gask trained Caminel (5/1), who went onto take the 7 runner Unibet Handicap (C6), over 6f, at Lingfield Park on December 8th last.

Coming here off the back of a falling handicap mark and in second time blinkers, this three year old daughter of Kyllachy, was bidding to record her second win at the track, having previously taken a similar contest on her turf debut, back in June. Dropped out early doors in second last position by Lane, Caminel settled well off what looked a steady pace, set firstly by the keen going Done Dreaming and then by race favourite, Ghost Train, who took over at the head of affairs after one furlong.

As Ghost Train lifted the pace well past the halfway point, Lane was sighted bustling his mount along, seemingly caught flat footed or outpaced on entering the final two furlongs. Swinging off the home turn and Caminel was still some five lengths down on straightening up for the wire. Switched right and galvanised by Lane, Caminel responded emphatically to her jockey’s call, storming down the outside of runners to gather in Dark Lane, who had hit the front 100yds from home.

Coming from the clouds right over the top of this field, the Mark Allen owned filly really turned this race on its head inside the final furlong. Showing a good turn of foot, she won by half a length in the end, from Dark Lane back in second place position. Recording her second win off the same handicap mark of 58, she has found a mark above 60 beyond her in the past. A half sister to 4 other winners, she can pay her way in this grade of contest and may have more to offer as she matures with racing.

CHRISTMAS WISHES

This column will return following Christmas week. Meanwhile, I would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and thank anyone who has contributed to this column during the past year.

UK Flat/Jumps 2014 = 436, Dubai = 3, Ireland = 2, Canada = 1, France = 1.

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