It’s been another big week for apprentice and conditional jockeys. Which young guns have been hitting their targets?
Kennedy’s Dead Good!
Jack Kennedy was the toast of Ireland, last week, after a sensational string of rides resulted in 4 victories. 3 came at Ballinrobe, in the shape of Troublesombrothers, Carrig Castle (where Kennedy did well to stay in the race, with his mount jumping very unconvincingly) and Tiger Roll. His final win was also his 3rd of the week for Gordon Elliott – a partnership with Everyday Everyhour delivering a straightforward 7-length win. This presumably led to politically-savvy race-goers buttonholing other young jockeys with the immortal line “You’re no Jack Kennedy” all week and thinking they were being funny.
Evans Deserves Elevenses, After 12/1 Tickle!
Nathan Evans maintained his amazing form with 3 more victories and a level-stakes profit, after more than 100 rides, is extremely impressive. Wins on Bowson Fred (Chelmsford) and Black Grass (Catterick) preceded a 12/1 7f handicap triumph on Kalk Bay. Evans’ patient hold-up ride paid dividends and Big Time was made to pay the price for not finding a clear racing line. All wins came for Mick Easterby who really needs to invite Evans into his office, one morning this week, for tea and buns.
Put A Ring On It!
Andrew Ring decided not to rest upon his laurels, following an amazing 66/1 win aboard Luckey Seven a fortnight ago. 3 more winners confirmed that this young man is really going places and he began with a comprehensive victory, aboard hot-favourite Petuna at Punchestown. This was followed with a win by a similar margin (8-lengths) at Tramore on Aengus King’s Capture The Drama. The final coup was by only a head, but was arguably the most impressive. The Plan Man was put under intense pressure and eventually buckled, resulting in an 8/1 winner with Baily Cloud. A bit more appreciation on Twitter, from fellow jockeys, wouldn’t go amiss!
Mar The Star!
Tom Marquand is having to learn to live with the fame his track exploits have brought, but he had no Groupie problems at Windsor and landed the spoils for Richard Hannon by a neck from Espresso Freddo. Later in the week, supporting-punters were on top of the mountain when Cliffhanger beat Sir Michael Stoute’s odds-on favourite Aflame and at odds of 20/1! Reports that Tom’s legions of fans have christened themselves the Marquettes are unconfirmed, as are stories of them throwing their underwear at racing’s rock-star apprentice (this really doesn’t bear thinking about and certainly not on a Saturday night at Lingfield).
Gordon’s No Joke!
Josephine Gordon was one of several female apprentices to feature in the supporting-cast of our ‘20 Women Set To Dominate Horse Racing, Over The Next Decade‘ piece, which went viral over the weekend. It’s already one of the most-read racing articles of 2016, so make sure you check it out! Gordon was winning again, last week, first on Acclamation filly Darma (Nottingham). Then the Lingfield faithful were treated to a made-all victory on the back of Captain Gerald, at the whopping odds of 16/1! If we on the blog become any bigger fans of Josephine, she’s going to need to get a restraining order sorted out!
Doyle’s Delicious, For Punters!
We are similarly smitten with Hollie Doyle, as are the punters who have backed her in every race in the current campaign. They will have reaped a profit of almost 14 points, after 56 races, following a brace of wins last week. Doyle notched at Nottingham, with a gritty ride aboard Little Choosey, before cleaning-up at Bath on top of 7-year-old Blue Top. Leading the race from 8f out, the partnership dug-deep to hold on and win at odds of 14/1. Good golly, Hollie!
Roy’s Twice The Boy!
You know that a major international football tournament must be just around the corner, whenever you start to see plastic St George flags on sale at the garage and hear optimistic chatter about how the latest manager is going to get it right at last. Roy’s Legacy was all the talk, last week, as was Charlie Bennett. The pair combined twice, in a less than 55 hours, to win at both Hamilton and Newcastle. Odds of 12/1 and 13/2 meant it was a case of Charles in charge, as far as punters were concerned!
Noonan On A High!
The wheels fell off the good ship Noonan last week (actually, that doesn’t work does it?) and he only managed to win twice. That’s half as many as in the previous week, so his career must be in terminal decline! After thoroughly enjoying himself on top of Mrs Burbidge (what?), at Towcester, he then piloted Reejah to victory at Market Rasen. Followers are now up 6.5 points, after 55 races. The Noonster just keeps on notchin’!
Halpin’s Handicap Heroics!
Gary Halpin was up to his old tricks again, last week, winning in 2 consecutive outings (Fairyhouse and Leopardstown). Both races had 17 runners competing against each other and big-field handicaps take plenty of winning, so hats off to Halpin. The brace of triumphs came with Elusive In Paris and Beechmount Whisper, with the 7/1 shot just getting-up in the final few strides.
Other Jocks That Rocked!
Plenty of other young jockeys were grabbing wins, last week. They include Donnacha O’Brien, Thomas Garner, Natalie Hambling, George Wood, Thomas Bellamy, Alan Johns, Eoin Walsh, Mark Flanagan, Thomas Brown, Nick Slatter, Joe Hill, Grant Cockburn, Sam Coltherd, William Featherstone, Harry Bannister, Rachel Richardson, Jake Hodson, Lulu Stanford, Daniel Redmond, Megan Nicholls, Sean Davis, Anastasia O’Brien, Ben Dalton, Sean Shortall, Joe Doyle, Dean Pratt, Arnie Waugh, Thomas Dowson, Callum Bewley, Adam McNamara, Alan Doyle, Kieran Shoemark, Edward Greatrex, Kevin Stott, Callum Whillians and Rachael Blackmore.
As for our jockey of the week, it has to be Jack Kennedy for his 4 victories on the Emerald Isle. Congratulations to all of you. Don’t forget to check out the blog, next Monday, for the latest round-up!
