Rock N Rhythm does it for Jonjo O’Neill

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Rock N Rhythm does it for Jonjo O’Neill

Five winners abroad local to The Avondhu area during Week 14, with the AP McCoy ridden Rock N Rhythm taking the spoils in Chepstow for Jonjo O’Neill amongst the highlights.

Barry O’Neill

Tuesday, 14 April 2015
8:40 PM GMT



WEEK 14: MONDAY, 30 MARCH – SUNDAY, 5 APRIL

With the Grand National on the horizon this week, we have 5 winners to report on from 5 individuals in the UK. We feature winners from Fermoy native, David O'Meara, Castletownroche natives Jonjo O'Neill and Brian Harding, Killeagh native, Liam Keniry and Mitchelstown native, Paul O'Brien. Our combined total for 2015 now sits on 117 winners.

MONDAY, MARCH 30th (Winner 113)

Castletownroche native and trainer, Jonjo O'Neill, inched ever closer to a century of winners, recording his 96th winner of the season with the Tony McCoy ridden, Rock N Rhythm (4/7f), who took the 10 runner Truvape Maiden Hurdle (C5), over 16.5f, at Chepstow.

Making only his second UK and hurdle start, after some promising placed bumper efforts in Ireland, this five year old gelded son of Rock Of Gibraltar, was sent to post a warm favourite off the back of a good third in a higher class novice hurdle at Carlisle, last time out.

Dropped notably in trip from 19.5f, Rock N Rhythm was sent about his job early doors, as McCoy set out to make all. Turning the screw on this field to halfway, Rock N Rhythm was soon well clear and in control of this race. Jumping efficiently and galloping relentlessly to the home turn bend, McCoy gave his mount a breather for the long demanding uphill run to the line. With little or no danger coming from the chasing pack, Rock N Rhythm coasted home, unchallenged, winning not out of turn, by some 11 lengths from Mountain Of Mourne back in second place. It was a further two lengths back to Belize in third.

Recording his first win after five placed efforts, four coming in Irish bumpers, this Chanelle Medical Ltd owned gelding looks a nice prospect and will no doubt face stiffer tasks in future engagements. A half brother to two listed flat winners, Rock N Rhythm could well be kept going for the summer.

Tony McCoy, winning jockey, said, "Rock N Rhythm was entitled to win that on his Carlisle run and the step back down in trip suited him. He didn't have to improve on Carlisle and this was definitely not a very strong race."

TUESDAY, MARCH 31st (114)

Fermoy native and trainer, David O'Meara, recorded his 10th winner of 2015, with the Danny Tudhope ridden Toto Skyllachy (5/1), who took the 6 runner Coral Handicap (C5), over 11f, at Southwell. Dropped in class and upped in trip from 8f, this 10 year old gelded son of Kyllachy, came into this race off a good second last time out at this course, but had the added burden of top weight and the concession of weight all round to his rivals.

Dropped to rear early doors as race favourite, Sellingallthetime, tried to make all, Toto Skyllachy travelled smoothly in Tudhope's hands, taking closer order to halfway and moving menacingly into 4th place, tracking the leaders. Now into third place, Tudhope had a quick glance over his shoulder to see if anything was going as well as him. With three abreast entering the home turn, Toto Skyllachy cruised by Sellingallthetime and Megamunch, finding himself in front fully two and a half furlongs from home.

Ridden off the home turn, Toto Skyllachy moved further away up the straight and pushed clear with only hands and heels, he fairly sauntered home, winning by a margin of two and three quarter lengths, from Felix Fabulla back in second place.

Recording his 13th win in total from 81 starts, this Richard Walker owned gelding still looks to have plenty to offer and although getting on in age, he can still hold his own in this kind of company. A return to turf is imminent with entries at Pontefract on April 7th. Danny Tudhope, winning rider, said, "It's lovely to see Toto Skyllachy win again. He's never won over this trip before and the drop in grade suited him."

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1st (115)

Killeagh native and flat jockey, Liam Keniry, recorded his 15th winner of 2015 aboard the David Elsworth trained, Upavon (9/2), who went onto take the 6 runner Tote Exacta Handicap (C4), over 6f, at Chelmsford.

Coming here off some ordinary runs in better class races, this five year old gelded son of Avonbridge, was dropped in trip and back in class 4 company for the first time in over a year. Carrying top weight, Upavon was smartly away and led for the first 200yds until Poppy Bond took up the running after the first furlong. With the pace solid enough, Keniry settled his mount well in third place up the inside of runners and always looked to travel well, making his move on the leader, Poppy Bond, entering the top of the home straight. Ridden to challenge up the centre of the track, Upavon easily gathered in Poppy Bond just outside the one pole and although lugging slightly right inside the final furlong, he fairly scooted home by some two lengths at the line. Showtime Star came late to grab second, from Poppy Bond back in third.

Recording his 5th win from 20 starts, this McPabb Racing owned gelding was on a mark 1lb lower (85) since last visiting the winners circle, at Kempton Park, back in March 2014. He will no doubt be punished heavily by the handicapper and may find life tougher again with an inevitable rise in class.

Liam Keniry, winning rider, went onto say, “Upavon can be a bit in and out, but he was good today. Although he was down in class, there were a few fancied in it.”

THURSDAY, APRIL 2nd (116)

Mitchelstown native and conditional jump jockey, Paul O'Brien, recorded his 3rd winner of the season aboard the Colin Tizzard trained, Murrayana (5/2), who won the 6 runner Ludlow Food Centre Handicap Hurdle (C4), over 21f, at Ludlow. Coming into this race off the back of an easy Wincanton win last time out, this five year old gelded son of King's Theatre, was bidding to defy a 10lb penalty, in this fair looking contest.

Always close up on the heels of the leader, Royal Moll, Murrayana jumped and travelled well as this race took shape entering the home turn bend for the final time. Going to three out and race favourite, Jimmy The Jetplane headed the long time leader, Royal Moll, who cried enough. This now looked a two horse contest over the final two flights as O'Brien asked for and got more from his willing mount between the final two hurdles.

Ridden to head and lead Jimmy The Jetplane just before the last, Murrayana landed running and driven out he began to wander and get lonely once hitting the front. Out of view, Keshi Pearl was gathering momentum and she flew home to eyeball Murrayana and O'Brien right on the line. A pulsating finish in the end, Murrayana getting the verdict by a head and duly looking game in a finish.

Recording his 3rd win from just 6 hurdle starts, Murrayana still looks highly progressive, with stamina his forte. He could likely go in again with punishment by the handicapper minor for this success. Rated 119 before this win, he looks a real chasing type and this may well be where his future lies.

SUNDAY, APRIL 5th (117)

Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding, rode his 52nd winner of the season, aboard the Barry Murtagh trained Jebulani (16/1), who went onto take the 11 runner Tees LED Lighting Specialists Handicap Hurdle (C5), over 17f, at Sedgefield.

Coming here fresh from an almost five month break, this five year old gelded son of Jelani, was dropped back in trip from 24f last time out, at Newcastle, where he failed to complete. Showing modest hurdle form to date and with a handicap mark in free fall on 75, Jebulani was sighted travelling smoothly to the top of the hill and could be called the winner a long way from home. Stalking the long time leader Beyondtemptation to the second last, Harding got behind his mount between the last two flights and duly took over at the head of affairs just before jumping the last. Clean heeled over the final obstacle, Jebulani was not for catching, as he galloped on strongly to the line, going onto win by some five lengths, from Beyondtemptation back in second. It was a further 10 lengths back to the third, Van Mildert.

Recording his first hurdle win and second in total, after a win on the flat, Jebulani could gain a lot of confidence from this win. His mark can be exploited if turned out again quickly in the coming week. Rated just 36 on the flat, it will be interesting to see where he shows up next.

Combined UK flat/jumps 2015 = 117.



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