Trainer Ed Vaughan's Robin Hoods Bay scores impressive victory

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Trainer Ed Vaughan’s Robin Hoods Bay scores impressive victory

The 100th winner abroad for area racing connections came up during Week 12, with some impressive victories recorded being recorded.

Barry O’Neill

Monday, 31 March 2014
8:50 PM GMT



WEEK 12 17th-23rd MARCH 2014

Another great week for Avondhu area locals in the UK, hitting the 100 winner mark for the year, with 9 winners combined. The highlight of which, was Robin Hoods Bay's win in the Group 3 Lingfield Winter Derby, for Rockmills native and trainer Ed Vaughan, this the biggest win of his career.

ROBIN HOODS BAY STEALS LIMELIGHT FOR VAUGHAN

Rockmills native and trainer, Ed Vaughan, had a week which will hold long in the memory, when his Robin Hoods Bay (10/1), took the 14 runner Group 3 Coral Winter Derby, over 1m2f at Lingfield Park, on March 22nd last. Ridden by Luke Morris, this six year old son of Motivator, gained just reward, after being narrowly beaten by Farraaj, in this race last season. Slow to leave the gate, Robin Hoods Bay was held up nearer last than first, off what looked a solid pace, set by Anaconda (25/1).

Making stout headway around runners to the two pole, Morris made his move wide off the home-turn. Asking for more effort, Morris got a huge response from his mount and storming down the outside of runners, Robin Hoods Bay collared and passed Windhoek (11/4) well inside the final furlong, going on to win by three-quarters of a length.

Recording his 8th and biggest win, seven of which have come on a synthetic surface, Robin Hoods Bay is a credit to all concerned, especially his trainer, his enthusiastic owner Alan Pickering and his jockey Luke Morris, who has now won on him five times from just 11 starts. He will now head for the Middle Distance Championship Final, in four weeks time, a race with a prize fund of £200,000.

Ed Vaughan, speaking exclusively to The Avondhu, said, “This is my biggest win and I am delighted for the horse’s owner. This race was the plan all season and it was great to pull it off. We will now head to the Championship final on Good Friday.” Vaughan was recording his 5th winner of the season from just 26 runs.

KENIRY STILL MOVING ON 'UP'

Killeagh native and flat jockey, Liam Keniry, continues in great form, adding a further two winners to his season’s tally, which now stands at 23. His most notable win came aboard the David Elsworth trained Upavon (9/1), who took the 10 runner BetVictor.Com Handicap (C3), over 6f at Kempton Park, on March 17th last.

Returning fresh from a two month break, this four year old son of Avonbridge, was dropping back in trip, after disappointing when last seen over a 1m, at Lingfield back in January. Settled just off a solid pace, set by Clear Praise (25/1), Keniry sat quiet up the inside rail in about fourth position. Swinging into the home straight and Clear Praise had slipped some two lengths clear of the field, with Trojan Rocket (7/1) in hot pursuit in second.

Keniry, mindful of the course intersection, waited to mount his challenge and switching off the rail when back on the course proper, he produced Upavon to challenge between both Clear Praise and Trojan Rocket. Hitting the front just inside the final furlong, Upavon responded well to his jockey, gaining first run on any closers, which proved significant. Staying on strongly, he held on gamely from the fast finishing Baddilini (7/1), who closed to within a neck at the line. It was a further three-quarters of a length back to Corporal Maddox (12/1), in third place.

Recording his fourth win in total, three of which have now come at Kempton, Upavon is lightly raced and could progress further over the summer. Liam Keniry, speaking exclusively to The Avondhu, said, "We had a good draw here and six furlongs around Kempton is ideal for him. Hopefully he's not finished winning yet."

Keniry's second winner came aboard the Neil Mulholland trained, Mr Burbidge (1/10f), in the Coral Mobile Selling Stakes (C6), over 1m4f at Southwell, on March 18th last. Never coming off the bridle, this six year old son of Midnight Legend made short work of his rivals here and Keniry won't ride an easier winner all season.

Liam Keniry, winning jockey, went onto say, "He likes it here more than the other venues and was entitled to win as he did, although the trip was short enough."

JACK ALBERT 'HARDIN'S' UP

Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding, added a further two winners to his excellent season, taking his winning total to 30. His most notable win came aboard the Dianne Sayer trained Jack Albert (11/2), who took the 13 runner 32Red Casino Handicap Hurdle (C5), over 2m5f at Market Rasen, on March 23rd last.

Recording his second win, both under Harding, this seven year old grey son of Cloudings, set out to make all and given an easy lead, he travelled and jumped well, going clear between the last two hurdles. Driven out, Jack Albert, found plenty for pressure and a winning margin of 15 lengths says it all.

This was undoubtedly Jack Albert's best performance to date and it is no coincidence that both his wins have now come with good underfoot ground conditions. Rated 87 here, having previously won off 79 at Mussleburgh, Jack Albert will find life harder once reassessed by the handicapper. He was also bred by Brian's sister, Marie, back in Castletownroche and this win will feel all the more sweeter for the Harding family back home.

Dianne Sayer, winning trainer, went onto say, “He has to go right-handed and will probably go back over fences next season.”

Harding's second winner came aboard the Nicky Richards trained, Sir Vinski (5/1), who took the Kelso Race Day National Hunt Flat Race (C6), over 2m at Kelso, on March 22nd last. Winning here on debut, this five year old son of Vinnie Roe, showed a good turn of foot to win by some 10 lengths. He looks a bargain buy at €7,000 and could make up into a nice hurdler next season.

O'BRIEN 'KEOWN' PLACES

Mitchelstown native and conditional jump jockey, Paul O'Brien, is slowly making a name for himself and he again was seen to good effect aboard the Rebecca Curtis trained Bob Keown (7/2f), who took the 13 runner, Triflex Novices' Handicap Hurdle (C4) over 2m7f at Exeter, on March 18th last. Recording his first win, in first-time cheek-pieces, this six year old son of Indian Danehill, showed improved form on this better surface and looks highly progressive now. Always prominent, he travelled and jumped well off an even pace, set by Social Overdrive (20/1). Leading four out, O'Brien had little trouble drawing clear after the third last and never looked in any trouble all the way home. Pushed out after the last flight, Bob Keown, although running around, stayed on strongly to win by a comfortable looking 15 lengths, from Noble Perk (14/1) back in second place.

Rated 98 going into this race, with O'Brien claiming another 7lb off (91), Bob Keown was beaten a total of 160 lengths combined on his last three handicap hurdle starts, all in soft to heavy ground conditions. The handicapper will show little sympathy after this win and a hefty rise will surely follow. He would be a likely candidate for a follow up if turned out again quickly under a penalty and holds an entry at Chepstow on Tuesday, March 25th.

Paul O'Brien, speaking exclusively to The Avondhu said, “Bob Keown won easily, he disappointed the time before, that on very heavy ground, but the cheek pieces and nicer ground made a big difference to him. He's a real favourite in the yard.”

Paul O'Brien was riding his 5th winner of the season.

LINEHAN BEST MAN 'AT RECEPTION’

Fermoy native and conditional jump jockey Maurice Linehan, recorded his 14th winner of the season, aboard the Jonjo O'Neill trained, At Reception, who took the 11 runner Totepool National Hunt Maiden Hurdle(C4), over 2m4f at Southwell, on March 17th last.

Held up early doors after a mistake at the very first hurdle, this seven year old son of Gamut, made steady headway through runners to halfway. Taking closer order under a strong ride from Linehan, At Reception closed in on the leaders, early in the home straight. Challenging down the outside and with long time leader Troufion (20/1) now fully in his sights, Linehan launched his mount down to the last flight of hurdles, some two lengths down. Jumping the last well, At Reception landed full of throttle and under a power-packed Linehan drive, he duly came alongside Troufion, passing his rival well inside the final furlong, to win going away by half a length.

Lightly raced for his age, At Reception looks likely to improve even more over a longer trip and could make up into a good chaser in time. Maurice Linehan, speaking exclusively to The Avondhu said, “At Reception is a nice horse who travelled well and did it easy in the end.”

Castletownroche native and trainer, Jonjo O'Neill, moves onto the 125 winner mark for the season, one short of equalling his all time best winning total.

LANE'S CAMPBELL 'SOUPS' IN

Kilworth native and flat jockey, Martin Lane, hit the ground running on his return from Dubai, winning aboard the Bernard Llewellyn trained Arty Campbell (7/2f), in the 11 runner BetVictor App Handicap (C5), over 2m at Kempton Park, on March 17th last. Heavily supported into favouritism, this four year son of Dylan Thomas, came here fresh off the back of a two month break, after a good third over this course and distance in January. Settled in rear by Lane, off what looked an even pace, set by Wild Desert (33/1), Arty Campbell was sighted travelling well to halfway. Making his move three furlongs out, Lane stoked up his mount wide of runners, off the home-turn. Getting a great response, Arty Campbell's huge stride began to pick off the field, one by one. Hitting the front fully two furlongs from home, Lane pushed his mount clear, leaving all rivals trailing in his wake. Not extended here, Arty Campbell won impressively by a casual looking two and a half lengths. Montjess (12/1) ran on for second, with Arashi (7/1) a further three-quarters of a length back in third position. Recording his first win on this his 7th start, Arty Campbell, a 21,000gns purchase at Newmarket October Sales, looks totally unexposed over this 2m trip. After being unsuccessfully tried over hurdles, where he ran out on debut, he looks well ahead of his flat handicap mark of 70.

Martin Lane, speaking exclusively to The Avondhu, said, "He's a nice big horse and is improving as he's maturing physically. He could be a bit of fun for the upcoming season."

Martin Lane was riding his 5th UK winner of the season and 7th in total.

Total UK wins 2014 = 97; total wins Dubai = 3.



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