Richie McLernon takes an impressive 4 winners in Week 19

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Richie McLernon takes an impressive 4 winners in Week 19

Richie McLernon, with four Week 19 winners, along with Jonjo O’Neill and David O’Meara, were again some of those in top form, with a total of 14 winners abroad from area connections.

Barry O’Neill

Tuesday, 19 May 2015
8:30 PM GMT



Week 19: Mon 4th May-Sun 10th May'15

Another 14 winners to report from Avondhu area locals in the UK. Liscarroll native, Richie McLernon, takes the riding honours with 4 winners, followed closely by trainers, Jonjo O'Neill and David O'Meara with 3 winners apiece. Brian Harding picked up where he left off last season with 2 winners, with Martin Lane and Liam Keniry providing a winner apiece. This puts our combined total for 2015 onto the 174 winner mark.

FANTASTIC FOUR FOR MCLERNON

Liscarroll native and jump jockey, Richie McLernon, stole the riding honours last week with four winners, kick-starting what I envisage will be his best season in the saddle. His most notable winner came aboard fellow Avondhu native, Jonjo O'Neill's, Strongly Suggested (10/3f), who took the 6 runner DRT H'cap Chase (C4), over 16.5f, at Worcester on May 7th last.

Making his seasonal reappearance after 5 months off and reported to have had a wind operation, this eight year old gelded son of Kayf Tara was back over fences for the first time since August 2014. Settled not far off the lead, set by Capisci, Strongly Suggested had a good tow into this race and always jumped and travelled well in McLernon's hands. Taking over at the head of affairs from the third last, this J.P. McManus owned gelding had to shake off the attentions of the equally strong travelling, Sportsreport, who came upsides over the final two obstacles. Showing a good attitude, Strongly Suggested finished off this race well and won with a little bit in hand at the line. He had two and three quarter lengths to spare over Sportsreport at the winning post.

Recording his first win over fences off a handicap mark 15Lb lower than when last seen over the larger obstacles, Strongly Suggested could well follow up under a penalty and holds multiple entries over the coming weeks. Also a three time hurdle winner, O'Neill now seems to have options going forward. Jonjo O'Neill, winning trainer, went onto say, “Strongly Suggested has had a wind operation since his last run and that appears to have done the trick.”

McLernon went on to record another three winners and again teamed up with O'Neill aboard, Mondragon (7/2), who took the 11 runner CSS Novices' Hurdle (C4), over 19f, at Warwick on May 4th last. Winning for the first time over hurdles, this French bred five year old gelded son of Turtle Bowl, was back in a reasonable grade, having been thrown in at the deep end on his UK hurdles debut, contesting a Grade 2 Novice at Aintree.

McLernon's third winner came aboard the Nick Littmoden trained, Sir Note, who went onto score in the 14 runner Premier League Darts H'cap Hurdle (C5), over 16f, at Worcester. This horse was completing a double for McLernon and winning himself for the first time after an inauspicious start to his hurdling career, being pulled up and unseating his rider on his last two starts. Another French bred, he looks to have finally found his feet, if you pardon the pun.

McLernon's great week was rounded off with a fourth winner aboard the Anabel Murphy trained, Captain Bocelli (40/1), who caused a bit of an upset, taking the 10 runner Market Rasen National Hunt Flat Race (C6), over 17f, at Market Rasen on May 8th last. Making his debut, this six year old gelded son of Kayf Tara, did it well in the end, getting on top close home. A half brother to Grade 2 hurdle winner, Lambro, he could be anything. Bred by Anabel Murphy's brother-in-law and trainer, John Murphy, at Highfort Stud, Innishannon, Captain Bocelli was winning here in the colours of Mrs Diana Whateley, who will no doubt have a ‘not for sale’ sign pinned to this horse. McLernon was riding his first four winners of the season. Jonjo O'Neill sits on three winners, after a third success last week, with the Richard Johnson ridden, Rock 'N' Rhythm (4/5f), who took the 12 runner Racing UK Club Novices' Hurdle (C4), over 16f, at Kempton on May 4th last. This completed an across the card double on the day for O'Neill and his horses look in rude health for the summer ahead.

THAT IS DEFINITELY THE SPIRIT

Fermoy native and trainer, David O'Meara, added a further three winners to his 2015 tally, which now stands at 29. His most notable win came with the Graham Gibbons ridden, That Is The Spirit (9/4jf), who won the 6 runner Pertemps Network Spring Trophy (C1 Listed), over 7.22f, at Haydock on May 9th last.

Ridden for the first time by Gibbons and bidding to atone for a very disappointing run in the Group 3 Gladness Stakes at The Curragh in mid-April, this four year old gelded son of Invincible Spirit, looked to have his ideal conditions back down in class. Well away and grabbing the early lead, That Is The Spirit looked keen to get on with things in Gibbons's hands and quickly developed a two or three length advantage over stablemate, Penitent.

Off the only bend and entering the home turn, Gibbons looked to let the chasing pack close in on him and suddenly, That Is The Spirit looked there to be shot at, fully two furlongs from home. With the mare Dusky Queen looming large to challenge just outside the one pole, Gibbons asked for more from his mount, who duly responded in bucket loads and staying on strongly, this Frank Gillespie owned gelding strode on again from his floundering rivals. He had one and three-quarter lengths to spare at the line from Dusky Queen, with Penitent another one and a half lengths back in third.

Recording his fourth win from just 9 starts, That Is The Spirit looks ideally suited by softer ground conditions. With all his wins now coming around the 7f distance mark, he has a good few options and may again try to cross that threshold into Group 3 company, a feat his half sister, Mischief Making, achieved. Jason Kelly, assistant trainer, said, “Soft ground brings out the best in That Is The Spirit. We'll look at Group races over 6 and 7 furlongs. Getting cut will be key to where we go with him.”

O'Meara went on to record another two winners, both coming at Beverley, on May 4th last. The first winner came with the Danny Tudhope ridden, The Tempest (11/2), who took the 6 runner Maypole Dancers Fillies' Maiden (C5), over 12f. Having her first start for O'Meara, after leaving David Wachman, this three year old daughter of Mastercraftsman won here in a tight photo finish after being markedly stepped up in distance, from a mile to a mile and a half. This was only her third start and she will now be assessed before connections make further plans.

O'Meara's third and final winner again came with a Danny Tudhope ridden horse, this time in the shape of Rousayan (7/4f), who broke his maiden tag at the seventh time of asking, when taking the 9 runner, Swan Industrial Drives H'cap (C4), over 8.5f. Making all the running, this four year old gelded son of Invincible Spirit, again just held on by a head and got just reward for a photo finish defeat at Wetherby last time out. A former Aga Khan owned and Dermot Weld trained inmate, Rousayan, a half brother to multiple Group 2 winner, Rajsaman, was having his third start for O'Meara and will keep on the right side of the handicapper with these hard fought wins.

HARDING SPRINGS INTO LIFE WITH BRACE OF WINNERS

Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding, shows little sign of retirement, as he picked up his first two winners of the new jumps campaign, laying down a marker for the rest of the season to come. His most notable win came aboard the Nicky Richards trained, Isaacstown Lad (10/3f), who took the 12 runner Hunter Real Estate Novice H'cap Hurdle (C4), over 22.5f, at Kelso on May 6th last.

Making only his second start for Richards, this eight year old gelded son of Milan, was sent to post a well backed favourite, off the back of an ordinary stable debut run at Carlisle last month. Held up towards the rear of runners, Harding settled his mount well up the inside, off an even pace, set by Spoils Of War. Content to let the race develop around this tight inner hurdles track, Harding took closer order going down the far side on the final circuit. With Spoils Of War looking to steal a lead on the front end, it was Lord Usher who came there full of running fully five hurdles from home. Going on past the fading Spoils Of War, Lord Usher looked to be galloping on relentlessly clear with this race at his mercy.

Meanwhile, Harding and Isaacstown Lad had moved into third place turning for home with only two to jump. Steadily making inroads into the leaders advantage, Isaacstown Lad joined and headed Lord Usher approaching the second last. A clean jump saw him stride clear down to the last hurdle where he jumped quick and well. Staying on strongly, this MS Borders Racing Club owned gelding, saw off the flattered looking Hurricane Rita, back in second place, by three and a quarter lengths. It was 13 lengths back to the third placed finisher, Iora Glas.

Recording his first win under rules, on this, his eight start, this winning point-to-pointer looks a well handicapped individual on this evidence. Rated only 93 here, having been 111 in the past, he can follow up if appearing quickly under a penalty. He holds a Perth entry on May 13th.

Harding's second winner came aboard the Barry Murtagh trained, Baraboy (3/1), who won the 5 runner Carlsberg H'cap Hurdle (C5), over 17f at Sedgefield, on May 5th last. Recording only his second win over hurdles, both at this course, Baraboy took advantage of a race that cut up badly with non-runners before racing. He looks competitive in this grade of contest and rated 89 here, looks to struggle beyond a mark of 90.

SARDONICUS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED UNDER LANE

Kilworth native and flat jockey, Martin Lane, rode his 16th winner of 2015, aboard the David Simcock trained, Doctor Sardonicus (10/1), who went onto take the 6 runner Grand Slam Madness H'cap (C3), over 6f, at Chelmsford on May 6th last.

Making his racecourse reappearance after 5 months off and gelded since his last run, this four year old son of Medicean, was sent to post the outsider of runners and slightly underestimated in the market. Well away early from the gate, Doctor Sardonicus showed plenty of early speed to dispute the lead with Oriental Relation, who dropped to the rail, with Lane keen to keep him anchored there. Always travelling well going to the halfway point, Lane took decisive action at the three pole, taking over at the head of affairs and quickly putting this field under the screw off the home turn. With rivals queuing up to cut him down, Doctor Sardonicus showed a likeable attitude to repel all challengers who got close to him. Responding well to Lane in the closing stages, this Charles Wentworth owned gelding had well over two and three-quarter lengths to spare from the plugging on Regal Parade back in second place. Looking to have plenty in hand, Doctor Sardonicus was recording his second win from seven starts and looks to have really benefited from a drop back to six furlongs.

Rated 80 here, he holds another entry over course and distance on Tuesday, 12th May and under a penalty, looks likely to improve again. The time for the race confirmed a solid performance and form to believe in, being well inside Racing Post standard for the distance. David Simcock, winning trainer, went onto say, “We were going to drop Doctor Sardonicus back to this trip last year but decided to wait until this year. He's always shown plenty of pace at home.”

MELODIOUS HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES UNDER KENIRY

Killeagh native and flat jockey, Liam Keniry, rode his first turf winner of the season and 18th of 2015, aboard the David Elsworth trained, Melodious (7/1), who went onto take the 13 runner Safe Bet DG Taxis Maiden Stakes (C5), over 8.5f, at Nottingham on May 8th last.

Making her seasonal reappearance, more than 5 months since finishing a good second at Kempton back in October 2014, this three year old Cape Cross filly, was stepping up in trip here, having looked to stay well over 7f as a two year old. Well away from an inside berth in testing ground conditions, Melodious was always in the van seat and settling well in third, up the rail, off a steady pace, set by Princess Guest, Keniry was happy to bide his time until the pace quickened off the home turn.

Sitting quiet as Lovely Surprise and Kieran Fallon kicked for home fully two and a half furlongs out, Keniry started to get down to business well inside the final two furlongs. As the leader sailed for home with a five length advantage, Melodious started to eat into that lead once fully wound up. Grabbing Lovely Surprise with a 100yds to go, she edged in front by a length come the winning post, scoring with a little bit up her sleeve in the end. It was a further one and a half lengths back to Lilian Baylis in third.

In a race that looked full of unexposed fillies', it will be no surprise to see plenty of winners come from this line up, but for now plaudits go to this Doreen Tabor owned filly, who breaks her maiden tag here and should, given better conditions, go onto better things. A 45,000gns yearling she will be of some value as a broodmare given her dam, Gower Song, also trained by Elsworth, was a Group 3 winner at Nad Al Sheba, back in 2008. You would imagine connections will look for some black type for this progressive looking filly.

Combined UK flat/jumps 2015 = 174.



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