O’Neill continues winning streak
The master of Jackdaws Castle ended 2008 on a high with Exotic Dancer scoring in Grade One company in Ireland, and he has hit the ground running in 2009.
Wins over jumps have been supplemented by two victories on the all-weather, and his in-form stable were responsible for a 64-1 double at the Welsh track.
Supreme Keano, a brother to O’Neill’s classy Keen Leader, appeared to face a tough task pitched into handicap company for his debut over fences but rose to the task and Tony McCoy drove him across the line a length and three-quarters to the good.
O’Neill’s travelling head lad, Paddy Brennan, said: “He had been working nicely at home, and he does jump and stay.He did it nicely and, although he is no Keen Leader, he is a nice sort.”
O’Neill had earlier struck with 12-1 shot Carnival Town, who left his two most recent runs when pulled up well behind to take the Jenkinsons Caterers 1st For Conferences Beginners’ Chase.
Jaunty Journey caused a 50-1 upset as a gamble on Mask Of Darkness went astray in division one of the Jenkinsons Caterers Maiden Hurdle.
The Irish raider was backed down to 9-4 favouritism in the three-mile test, but came up short at the business end after travelling smoothly into contention and he faded into third.
Britain’s newest racetrack, Great Leighs, has been placed into administration.
The British Horseracing Authority confirmed on Friday that the Essex venue had its latest application for an extension to its temporary licence refused and next Thursday’s scheduled fixture had already been moved to Kempton.
