Roman takes ‘flight’ under Glanworth native, Shane Quinlan

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Roman takes ‘flight’ under Glanworth native, Shane Quinlan

Glanworth native Shane Quinlan will remember his first UK winner, when steering Roman Flight to victory at Cheltenham on October 18th.

Barry O’Neill

Tuesday, 28 October 2014
4:15 PM GMT



WEEK 42: 13th - 19th OCTOBER, 2014

Another 11 winners combined to report on from Avondhu area locals based in the UK, with Castletownroche natives taking 7 of those winners. We also welcome a new talent, in Glanworth native Shane Quinlan, who had a dream start to his riding career in England when winning on Roman Flight, at Cheltenham.

Our combined total for 2014 now stands on 392 winners.

SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR CLASSY SPIRIT

Liscarroll native and jump jockey, Richie McLernon, rode the most notable of 6 winners for Castletownroche native and trainer, Jonjo O'Neill, aboard the Chris Johnston owned John's Spirit (5/1f), who took the 11 runner, Marie Curie Cancer Care Handicap Chase (C2), over 20f at Cheltenham, on October 18th last.

Bidding to win this race for the second year running, this seven year old gelded son of Beeches Stud stallion, Goldwell, was sent to post clear favourite for this highly competitive event. Dropped out nearer last than first, as Champion Court set out to make all, McLernon sat as patient as ever, letting the race develop in front of him. Always jumping and travelling well, John’s Spirit was sighted making smooth progress around the outside of runners after a good jump at the third last.

With Persian Snow taking over at the head of affairs on entering the home straight, McLernon made stealthy headway to almost come upsides that rival, jumping the second last. Ridden to get within half a length of the leader over the last, John’s Spirit responded to hands and heels riding, hitting the front well inside the final furlong. Ridden out, he stayed on strongly to win cosily in the end, by one length. Persian Snow did well in second, with a further six lengths back to Ericht in third.

Winning his 7th race in total and 4th chase, this looked a lifetime best performance at his favoured track. He will no doubt bid to follow up his Paddy Power Gold Cup win of last year, back here at Cheltenham in November. This of course will all depend on what the handicapper does in the meantime and he may well head for a graded chase instead, if O'Neill's hand is forced.

Richie McLernon, speaking to The Avondhu, said, "He matured over the summer and was very straightforward in his race. All went to plan."

McLernon was riding his 4th winner of the season, all of them chase wins from just 17 rides.

O'Neill consolidated his position at the top of the trainers’ jumps table with another five winners, which included a four-timer and a walk-over at Wetherby. Those Wetherby winners were, Goodwood Mirage (8/1) under Tony McCoy, who won a Class 3 Handicap Hurdle over 16.5f; Foundation Man (3/1f), under Jason Maguire, who took a Class 3 Handicap Chase over 20.5f; Fort Worth (7/2), under Dougie Costello, who won a Class 4 Novice Hurdle over 20f and Presence Felt, who took that walk-over under Mr H. Bannister.

O'Neill's final winner came with the Barry Geraghty ridden, In The Rough (9/4), who took a Class 3 Novice Hurdle over 25.5f, at Cheltenham, again on October 18th. O'Neill now tops the trainers’ table on 53 winners and prize-money won.

ROMAN TAKES FLIGHT UNDER QUINLAN

Glanworth native and jump jockey, Shane Quinlan (19), is another welcome addition to this column, having ridden his first UK winner aboard the David Dennis trained, Roman Flight (16/1), who took the 13 runner Gift Of Racing Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle (C3), over 16.5f, at Cheltenham on October 17th last. Quinlan was recording his second winner in total from just seven rides, having had one other winner in Ireland for trainer, Peter Fahey.

Making his UK riding debut, Quinlan settled his mount in midfield off a slow early pace, set by Drumlang. Keen to get on with things, Roman Flight jumped well out of Quinlan's hands, gaining ground at each hurdle. Taking closer order in about fifth position past halfway, Roman Flight was noted travelling well to the outside of runners. With Mountain King now pulling his way to the lead, Quinlan moved ominously well in fourth position sitting quiet. Moving into second place over three out, Roman Flight challenged the leader on straightening up off the home-turn, running down to the second last. With three in line jumping the last, Roman Flight dived at the hurdle and pecked on landing.

Losing vital momentum and headed by Vibrato Valtat up the Cheltenham hill, Quinlan knuckled down and slowly but surely got his mount back up to eyeball the leader. Edging ahead of that rival inside the final 100yds, Roman Flight had another challenger to contend with up the stand rail, in Hammersly Lake, who looked to be getting up close home. With the line fast approaching, Roman Flight showed great tenacity to keep his head in front, going on to win by just a head in the end. It was a further one and a quarter lengths back to Vibrato Valtat in third.

Recording his 5th win in total, Roman Flight can be a tricky ride and needs producing late on. The mistake at the last may well have helped his cause rather than hinder it. A red letter day and a polished ride from Quinlan, who looks a young jockey with a bright future. He is based with David Dennis is Hanley Swan, Worcestershire, who is also a young trainer going places. Dennis, a former jump jockey himself, will guide Quinlan in the right direction and will no doubt give the Glanworth native plenty more opportunities.

Shane Quinlan, winning jockey, speaking to The Avondhu, said, "This was a fantastic start on my UK debut and I couldn't have dreamed of riding my first UK winner at Cheltenham."

HARDING DOMINATES ON HINDMARSH

Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding, recorded his 17th winner of the season, aboard the Karen McClintock trained and Brian Chicken owned, Mason Hindmarsh (10/1), who went on to take the 11 runner Carnacrack Handicap Hurdle (C4), over 16.5f, at Kelso on October 18th last. Bidding to follow on from his one length second behind hat-trick scoring Sleep In First over course and distance in early October, this seven year old gelded son of Dr Fong, was running here off a 7lb higher mark (117), a harsh penalty for those previous exertions.

Jumping out boldly in front, Harding set a good even pace, controlling the race from the best vantage point. Winding up the pace past halfway, Mason Hindmarsh took 4 or 5 lengths out of the field, slowly turning the screw on the chasing pack. Joined to the outside by Amilliontimes off the home-turn, both runners put daylight between themselves and the field. With both horses upsides jumping the second last, Harding kept a bit up his sleeve and duly kicked clear between the final two hurdles, leaving Amilliontimes trailing in his wake. Scooting over the last, Mason Hindmarsh galloped all the way to the line to win easily in the end by some 10 lengths. Amilliontimes stayed on for second, with Beidh Tine Anseo a further one and three quarter lengths back in third.

Recording only his second hurdle win, this five time flat winner last tasted success over hurdles as a juvenile back in 2010. He looks very likely to be in the hands of the handicapper now. Karen McClintock, went onto say, "He was put up 7lb for finishing second here and I didn't think he could win off that mark."

URBAN DOUBLES UP WITH SPACE TO SPARE

Killeagh native and flat jockey, Liam Keniry, rode his 56th winner of 2014, aboard the John Flint trained and Jason Tucker owned, Urban Space (10/1), who took the 15 runner Clip Exhibition And Display Handicap (C5), over 10f, at Bath on October 19th last. Bidding to follow up his previous Chepstow win in September, off a 7lb higher mark (62), this 8 year old gelded son of Sulamani, came in for late support in the betting market just before the off.

Breaking well from a wide stall position in 13, Keniry settled his mount well in midfield off an even pace, set by the keen going Zambeasy. Noted travelling well in about 5th place as they entered the long sweeping turn before the home-straight, Urban Space took closer order stalking the leading pack. With the field fanning out across the width of the Bath home-straight, Keniry got serious with his mount fully three furlongs from home. Challenging to the outside of runners, Urban Space joined both Zambeasy and Strait Run, who now had just about poked his head in front.

Always looking the stronger towards the finish, Urban Space stayed on dourly from his rivals, going onto win by just half a length at the line. Strait Run plugged on for second, with a further half a length back to frontrunner Zambeasy in third.

Clearly back on song after a three year winless run before that Chepstow success, Urban Space was recording his 8th win from 49 turf starts and is a credit to connections having placed in almost half of those races. Keniry has now won twice on this veteran from just three rides and the hat-trick bid looks well and truly on.

VAUGHAN'S INTERCONNECTION FINDS WINNING HABIT

Rockmills native and trainer, Ed Vaughan, recorded his 18th winner of 2014 with the Luke Morris ridden and Salem Rasid owned, Interconnection (11/2), who took the 11 runner Graspan Frankton Maiden Stakes (C6), over 12.5f, at Newcastle on October 14th last. Dropped back into class 6 maiden company after two disappointing runs in class 5 handicaps, this three year old gelded son of Mount Nelson, was bidding to break his maiden tag here at the ninth attempt.

Drawn widest of all in stall 11 and with blinkers reapplied, Morris was quick to round the field on leaving the gate, gaining an early lead off what looked a steady pace. Settling better in front than in previous runs, Interconnection continued to dictate and control the race from the bow of the field, until the free going Major Rowan pulled his way to the lead after four furlongs.

With the pace now increased, Morris was happy to bide his time in second position, while a gap of almost five lengths developed back to the chasing pack. With Major Rowan going all too hard in front, it was only a matter of time before he folded as they turned into the home straight. Swooping past the faltering leader at the three pole, Interconnection got first run on the chasing pack and duly kicked some four lengths clear of his nearest challenger, race favourite Miss Tree.

Going clear inside the final furlong, Vaughan's charge was not for catching and ridden out, he duly won with a bit up his sleeve, by two and a quarter lengths. Gale Force came late and fast to take second, with Miss Tree a further one and three-quarter lengths back in third.

Entitled to win this race off the back of a close up second in a class 5 Doncaster handicap back in July, Interconnection can go on from this and should hold his own off a similar mark of 65 back in handicap company. He has a date with the sales ring towards the end of this month.

Ed Vaughan, winning trainer, speaking to The Avondhu, said, "This was as far as he wanted to go but I wanted to make the running with him and thought it would be easier over 12.5f. He now heads to the sales at the end of October."

UK flat/jumps 2014 = 385, Dubai 3, Ireland 2, Canada 1, France 1.



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