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Double winners for both trainer David O’Meara and Kilworth native, Martin Lane in Week 48.

WEEK 48: 24th-30th NOVEMBER 2014

Another 6 winners to report on from Avondhu area locals based in the UK, with Fermoy native, David O'Meara, training two of those winners and Kilworth native, Martin Lane, again taking the riding honours, also with two winners. Our combined total for 2014 now stands on 436 winners.

O'MEARA AND JAMES ‘OUT DO’ RIVALS IN DOUBLE QUICK TIME

Fermoy native and trainer, David O'Meara, took his 2014 UK total onto the 109 winner mark with two winners, the most notable of which came with the Sam James ridden, Out Do (25/1), who took the 12 runner BetBright Casino Handicap (C2), over 6f, at Kempton Park on November 26th last.

Returning to the scene of his first ever win, this five year old gelded son of Exceed and Excel, had slipped back down to his winning Great St. Wilfrid handicap mark of 94 and was bidding to put a disappointing run at Wolverhampton last time out behind him.

Well away from an inside stall position, James settled his keen going mount well in about 5th position, as the pace looked generous from firstly, Counter Ridge and then, Hoof It. Sweeping into the long home straight bend on a gloomy looking night, James switched his mount, firstly, to the outside and then to the center, as he looked to coax Out Do into a winning position, using only hands and heels riding. Slightly hampered over two furlongs out, James committed his mount up the inside and hitting the front well inside the final furlong, he was all out to hold off the late challenge of Hallelujah, as both runners hit the line in unison. Too close to call, the judge finally calling the verdict in favour of Out Do by a short-head, with a further one length back to Lancelot Du Lac in third place position.

Now two from two at Kempton, Out Do looks a very versatile horse surface-wise and with 21 of his 23 runs now coming over 6f, he could be said to be somewhat of a 6f specialist. He could possibly return to the track off an all time handicap mark of 100 next time out.

O'Meara and James went onto complete a double on the Kempton card, taking the BetBright Maiden Auction Stakes (C5), over 5f for 2 year olds, with Jebediah Shine (7/2), who was winning on her all-weather debut and recording her first win, on this, her fourth career start.

ELHAAM TWO SMART UNDER LANE

Kilworth native and flat jockey, Martin Lane, added yet another two winners in Week 48, taking his 2014 UK total onto the 45 winner mark. His most notable winner came aboard the George Margarson trained, Elhaam (5/4), who took the 5 runner Unibet Maiden Stakes (C5), over 6f, at Lingfield Park on November 26th last.

Coming here off the back of a good second, over 7f at Redcar last time out, this three year old Shamardal filly, was dropping back to six furlongs here and needed to ensure a good pace. With five fillies going to post for this maiden, it looked a match up on paper between race favourite, Two Smart (4/5f) and Elhaam.

Quickly away from the gate, Elhaam soon found herself at the head of affairs, setting a good even pace. Pressed to the outside early by the free going Qatar Princess and then by the keen Nelson's Pride, Lane did well to keep his filly settled. With Nelson's Pride's jockey finally relenting and letting his mount storm into the lead fully two and a half furlongs from home, Lane sat quiet and let his rival go.

Rounding the home turn and still two lengths off Nelson's Pride, Lane asked his mount for maximum effort and on straightening up for home he easily picked off the tearaway Nelson's Pride just outside the one furlong marker. Ridden out, Elhaam was soon well in control of this race with Two Smart mounting a belated forlorn challenge. Holding off her rival easily, Elhaam stamped her authority on this race and with stamina assured, she went onto win by some one and three quarter lengths at the line.

Well related, Elhaam, is a half sister to Listed winner, Justineo and her dam, herself a Listed winner, is also a half sister to Group 2 Mill Reef winner, Galeota. Undoubtedly increasing her paddock value here, Elhaam looks to be going the right way and with a rating of 64, she will have plenty more opportunities through the winter in handicaps.

Martin Lane, winning jockey, went onto say, "It was a great piece of placing by George and she's done it well picking up all the way to the line."

Lane's second winner came aboard the Andi Brown trained, Jersey Cream (40/1), who took the Coral Handicap (C6), over 9.5f, at Wolverhampton on November 29th last.

GLINGER BURNS UP DONCASTER UNDER HARDING

Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding, kept up his good winning run, recording his 31st winner of the season aboard the Nicky Richards’ trained, Glingerburn (16/1), who went onto take the 18 runner Massarellas Centenary Novices' Hurdle (C4), over 16.5f, at Doncaster on November 28th last.

Returning to the track after a 587 day absence, this six year old gelded son of King's Theatre, was also making his hurdling debut after showing promise in two previous bumper runs. Dropped out near the back of the field early doors as firstly, Exclusive Waters and then Silvery Moon took the field along, Harding had his hands full early with his mount keen and fresh in his paces.

Settling well after jumping three flights of hurdles, Harding kept his mount to the outside of runners, well back but jumping well. With Rockweiller now taking over in front, just ahead of Silvery Moon over the fourth flight of hurdles, Glingerburn began to take closer order approaching the long sweeping bend into the home straight, as again the lead changed hands as Relic Rock kicked for home entering the home straight. Still with plenty to do over three out, Glingerburn was sighted making stealthy ground to two out. Hanging or drifting left across the track under a ride, Glingerburn suddenly found himself challenging to the inside of Relic Rock and joining that rival over the last, he fairly scooted home up the run-in, going away to win by some two and a quarter lengths at the line. It was a further one and three quarter lengths back to Noverak in third.

A first win for the James Westoll owned gelding, who should improve again no end for this run. With the second Relic Rock having already finished runner-up in the Grade 2 Aintree bumper, this could be well above standard form. Nicky Richards, winning trainer, went onto say, "We always liked him, he had some good bumper form and we came here for the galloping track and better ground."

ALL'S GRAND WITH GIGOLO UNDER LINEHAN

Fermoy native and jump jockey, Maurice Linehan, recorded his 4th winner of the season, aboard the Ian Williams’ trained Grand Gigolo (12/1), who took the 12 runner, Totepool Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (C5), over 24f, at Ludlow on November 24th last.

Having his second run of the season after finishing in midfield at Chepstow last time out, this five year old gelded son of Enrique was upped in trip here from 16.5f to 24f. Jumping off in midfield as Wheelavit set a steady pace, Linehan was happy to bide his time to the stand side of runners, as the race progressed passing the winning post first time round.

Going over the 7th flight of hurdles, Grand Gigolo made his first mistake, slow over his obstacle, needing rousting along to make up for lost ground. Moving quickly into 4th place position, Linehan's mount was again slow over the 8th flight but losing little ground, jumped up into second place over the 9th flight, closing right up on the leaders. With a long run to three out, Wheelavit relented the lead to the Jamie Bargary ridden, Tisfreetdream, who took over at the head of affairs going down to the third last. With both runners looking to have the race between them, it was Linehan who timed his challenge well, drawing upsides Tisfreetdream over the last two obstacles and drawing away up the run-in to win going away by some two and a half lengths.

Recording his first win over hurdles, this Paul Downing owned French-bred gelding looks well treated on a handicap mark of 96 and unexposed over staying distances. He can now build on this and holds another entry on December 4th, at Market Rasen, where he could follow up this win unpenalised in a non-conditional handicap hurdle.

Maurice Linehan, winning rider, went onto say, "The step back up to 3 miles has obviously suited Grand Gigolo, as he picked up well and then stayed on really strongly."

UK flat/jumps 2014 = 429; Dubai = 3; Ireland = 2; Canada = 1; France = 1.

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