Several winners abroad for Avondhu race connections

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Several winners abroad for Avondhu race connections

13 unlucky for some perhaps, however area connections recorded this many winners alone during Week 24 abroad Onwards and upwards!!

Barry O’Neill

Wednesday, 24 June 2015
12:15 PM GMT



WEEK 24: MONDAY, 8th JUNE – SUNDAY, 14th JUNE

Double figures again this week with 13 winners combined from Avondhu area locals based in the UK. Jonjo O'Neill, David O'Meara and Liam Keniry all had three winners apiece, while Richie McLernon rode two of those O'Neill winners. Ed Vaughan and Martin Lane rounded off the week with a winner apiece. Our combined winners total for 2015 now stands on 229.

DAN LOOKS REGAL FOR O'MEARA

Fermoy native and trainer, David O'Meara, continues stockpiling winners and added a further three wins in Week 24. His most notable winner came with the Sam James ridden, Regal Dan (15/2), who went onto score in the 11 runner Geoff Pemberton H'cap (C3), over 7f, at York on June 12th last. Having won this race for the last two seasons, O'Meara, heavy handed with three runners, was keen to make it three wins in a row.

Regal Dan came into this race off the back of a very disappointing run at Catterick and with visor removed, this five year old gelded son of Dark Angel, was hoping to improve on a winning strike rate, which read one win from 24 starts. Well away from a central stalls position, Regal Dan ran keen early doors but found himself in the perfect stalking position tracking the early leader, In Focus, in second. Swinging into the home straight off a good gallop, none looked to be travelling better than Regal Dan. Sitting quiet in the saddle, James drew alongside In Focus with the equally smooth travelling race favourite, Mehdi, making a line of three. Not moving a muscle, James wasn't rushed or panicked into making a decision and waited until the last possible moment to produce Regal Dan with a crushing blow to Mehdi. Ridden out well inside the final furlong, Regal Dan finally broke a 33 month losing run, storming ahead 100yds from the line and going onto win by a cosy length from Mehdi. It was a further two lengths back to another O'Meara inmate, He's No Saint in third, with Rex Imperator, another for O'Meara, back in fourth.

Regal Dan benefited from a good ride here and could now go on with confidence high. He again may be vulnerable under a penalty with the handicapper showing no mercy.

O'Meara's second winner came two races later on the same York card and completed a double for both trainer and jockey, Sam James. They took the 12 runner Garbutt And Elliott H'cap (C3), with Saved By The Bell (9/2), over 14f. Recording his 4th win from 20 starts, this five year old gelded son of Teofilo, confirmed his liking for York having won at the same meeting this time last year.

O'Meara's third and final winner came with the Philip Makin ridden Harwood's Volante (6/1), who took the 18 runner Charles Henry Memorial H'cap (C4), over 6f, at York on June 13th last. Recording his fourth win in total and first for O'Meara, this four year old gelded son of Kheleyf, had shown good placed form on his last two starts and dropped back in trip, to 6f, he just got up in the shadow of the post. He looks a well handicapped horse and was bought for purpose, winning here off 75, having been rated 92 in the past.

O'Meara's 2015 total now stands on 46 winners.

KENIRY IN COMMAND ON DESERT

Killeagh native and flat jockey, Liam Keniry, had a good week in the saddle, riding three winners, the most notable of which came aboard the Andrew Balding trained, Desert Command (15/8f), who took the 5 runner Westover Group H'cap (C4), over 5f, at Salisbury on June 14th last.

With this field reduced to five runners on the withdrawal of second favourite, Slip Sliding Away, this race was made a little less competitive by post time. Coming here off the back of three all weather runs and wearing first time blinkers, this five year old gelded son of Oasis Dream, broke well and was soon tanking along in front with no pressure for the lead. Going a solid gallop on fast underfoot conditions, Desert Command dominated this field and when asked to stretch fully two furlongs from home, he responded in kind, romping home for an easy one and three-quarter length win from Serenity Spa.

Recording his third win from 18 starts, this Jeff Smith owned and bred gelding, won't get an easier race all year and winning here off a mark of 81, just one pound above his last winning mark of 80, he could be vulnerable to a penalty. He could well return to the track off an all time high mark as early as June 17th, where he holds an entry at Chelmsford. A full brother to last week’s Epsom Dash winner Desert Law, he looks an out and out sprinter.

Keniry's second winner came aboard the Mark Usher trained, Arlecchino's Leap (6/1), who won the 7 runner Star Sports H'cap (C5), over 7f, at Brighton on June 10th last. Recording his second win, this three year old gelded son of Kheleyf, benefited from a change of tactics and first time cheekpieces, on this, his first turf start since last August.

Keniry's third and final winner came again aboard a Kingsclere inmate for trainer, Andrew Balding, in the shape of Priors Brook (11/10), who scored in the 7 runner Hicks Logistics H'cap (C5), over 10f, at Chepstow on June 12th last. Recording his second win from just 5 starts, this four year old gelded son of Champs Elysees, followed up his good second at Windsor last time out and was due to go up six pound in future races. Staying one step ahead of the handicapper is sometimes key. Keniry now sits on 23 winners for 2015.

McLERNON AND O'NEILL COMBO KEEPS ROLLING

Liscarroll native and jump jockey, Richie McLernon, teamed up with fellow Avondhu and Castletownroche native, Jonjo O'Neill, riding two winners, the most notable of which came with Ubaldo Des Menhies (8/1), who took the 8 runner Steve Hillyer Transport H'cap Hurdle (C4), over 20.5f, at Southwell on June 9th last. Returning from 8 months off the track, in first time cheekpieces and upped in trip, this seven year old gelded son of Network, looked very well handicapped on a mark of 110, having been 128 in the past.

Jumping off close up in third, off a good pace set by race favourite, Dun Scaith, Ubaldo Des Menhies travelled and jumped well for McLernon as the field proceeded to go out on their last circuit. Taking much closer order into second over six out, McLernon was at pains to save as much energy as possible, biding his time and waiting for the right opportunity to strike. That opportunity came off the home turn after Sea The Springs took a crashing fall three out when in contention.

Ridden to join Dun Scaith going down over the second last, Ubaldo Des Menhies landed in front between the last two flights of hurdles and proceeded to gallop on strongly down over the last. With the last safely in the rear view mirror, Ubaldo Des Menhies strode clear of his nearest pursuer up the run-in, going on for an emphatic looking four length win, from the staying on Tinseltown, who in turn was a further four lengths in front of early leader, Dun Scaith, back in third.

Recording his second win in the UK, having previously won in France, this Jackdaws Castle Crew owned gelding last tasted success back in January 2013 and let’s hope it isn't that long between drinks again.

McLernon's second winner for O'Neill came aboard racecourse debutant, Which One Is Which (11/4), who scored in the 7 runner Dove Valley Mares' Bumper (C6), over 15.75f, at Uttoxeter on June 11th last. Looking impressive in despatching her rivals by no less than 14 lengths, this four year old daughter of King's Theatre could be well above average going forward. A €28,000 purchase, it will be interesting to see how she fares when produced over hurdles. McLernon was riding his 10th winner of the season.

O'Neill went onto record a third winner during the week with the Will Kennedy ridden, Finding Your Feet (9/1), who was completing an across the card double for his trainer in the 11 runner, MyRacing.Com H'cap Chase (C5), over 23f, at Worcester on June 11th last. Winning for the first time over fences and with a visor applied, this seven year old gelded son of Heron Island did well to win here with an apparent slipping saddle not helping his cause.

O'Neill now finds himself on the 14 winner mark for the season.

COSTA RETURNS FULL OF BEANS FOR VAUGHAN

Rockmills native and trainer, Ed Vaughan, continues in fine form and he recorded his 9th winner of 2015 with the Harry Bentley ridden, Costa Filey (9/2), who went onto take the 11 runner Ladbrokes H'cap (C6), over 6f, at Lingfield Park on June 13th last. Returning from over three months off and back on turf for the first time since last August, this four year old gelded son of Pastoral Pursuits, was back up to his last winning distance, with a falling handicap mark of 59 to boot.

Drawn right against the stand side rail in 14, Costa Filey was well away and soon at the head of affairs disputing the lead with Named Asset. With the field converging towards that stand side rail, Named Asset became sole leader, pressed all the while by the strong travelling Vaughan inmate. Passing the two pole and Bentley was still sitting with plenty of horse as he stoked up Costa Filey to go about his job. Ridden to challenge long time leader, Named Asset and now Paradise Spectre, Costa Filey began to hang left towards the centre of the track. Switching his whip hand from right to the left, Bentley was quick to try and correct his mount as they both got on top of Paradise Spectre close home, winning readily in the end by half a length from the flying Ryan Style, with Jay Bee Blue a further short head away in third.

A second win for the Alan Pickering (CBE) owned gelding, who now, should go on from this with further entries scheduled for Lingfield's all-weather track on June 18th. He looks capable, if quirky, of defying a penalty.

LANE LET'S RIGHT BE DONE

Kilworth native and flat jockey, Martin Lane, recorded his 23rd winner of 2015, aboard the Ed McMahon trained Let Right Be Done (14/1), who won the 5 runner Harby Claiming Stakes (C6), over 10f, at Leicester on June 13th last. Dropped into claiming company for the first time and wearing a first time hood, which accompanied blinkers, this three year old grey gelded son of Lawman, was bidding for a first turf win, having already won on the tapeta surface, at Wolverhampton.

Breaking well from an outside draw, Let Right Be Done slowly edged himself to the head of affairs, leading this field early at his own pace. Settled well in front by Lane passing the halfway point, Let Right Be Done turned into the home straight with the hot race favourite, Cornelious (1/3f), shadowing his every stride. Racing more towards the centre of the track, Lane began to wind up the pace from well over four furlongs out and it soon became apparent that Cornelious was in trouble a long way from home. Ridden strongly now, Let Right Be Done responded gamely to Lane and held off the late challenge of all-comers inside the closing furlong. Staying on well, he hit the line with one and a quarter lengths to spare over another race outsider, Dalmarella Dancer, back in second.

Recording his first win for trainer, McMahon, Lane was again seen at his best here on a tricky customer. A sting in the tail emerged for owners, The Lam Partnership, who lost the horse, when he was claimed by trainer, Linda Perratt, for £8,000.

Combined UK flat/jumps 2015 = 229.



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