Tag Archive for: Inch House

O’Neill forced to put plans on hold for Are U Wise To That

/in /by

Jonjo O’Neill’s Are U Wise To That is having a short spell out of action having picked up a cut when winning at Cheltenham recently.

The six-year-old is the winner of four of just seven races under rules and looked a novice going places at the December meeting.

Raised 5lb for his win to a mark of 130, plans are currently on hold while he recuperates.

“Unfortunately he’s given himself a nasty little gash so he’ll be out for a while,” said O’Neill.

“He will be OK, but just to prevent infections it needed washing out. It shouldn’t take too long if all goes the right way.

“He did everything sweet at Cheltenham and he jumped away grand, hopefully he’ll be a nice horse.”

In the same blue and yellow silks of Michael Geoghegan, Inch House has enjoyed a good first half of the season, winning twice at Newbury.

“He’s going OK. He might develop into one for Ultima. We’ll know better where we are going after his next run,” said O’Neill.

“I’m not sure where that will be as he wouldn’t want the ground bottomless so we’ll see how we go.”

At Newbury on Wednesday Fortunate Man cruised to victory for JP McManus, a much better outcome than when unseating at the third flight on his racecourse debut.

“To be honest I thought he’d run well at Ffos Las as that was an easier race. At Newbury you never know what you might bump into,” said O’Neill.

“The ground was very heavy there and I’d say that might have played into his strengths. It was nice to see him do it anyway.

“I’d say he might be ground dependent, but hopefully he’s a nice horse.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

Inch House picks up Sir Peter O’Sullevan prize for O’Neill

/in /by

Inch House continued his rise up the chasing ranks with a game success in the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase at Newbury.

Jonjo O’Neill’s six-year-old arrived on the back of an easy victory at the track last month, and the 6-4 favourite proved he is heading in the right direction over the larger obstacles by keeping on well to see off Lord Baddesley by a length and a quarter.

The Jackdaws Castle handler was thrilled to get his hands on the trophy named in honour of the legendary commentator, who was once among O’Neill’s band of owners.

“He likes it and enjoys it, he jumps well and does everything well,” said O’Neill of his winner.

“It’s a lovely race to win. We had some great times together and he had horses with me. We had lots of good fun.

“I remember him helping me out at Wetherby one day, we had new owners in and they had paid a few quid for this horse and he just got beat a short head.

“Sir Peter could see me at the bar and I was struggling a little bit and he came in and by the time he left they thought they had won! So I said ‘thank you very much, Sir Peter, that was very kind of you’ and he said ‘I could see you were struggling’.”

Manimole on her way to winning the Play Coral “Racing-Super-Series” For Free Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
Manimole on her way to winning the Play Coral “Racing-Super-Series” For Free Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Steven Paston/PA)

Manimole (8-11 favourite) may have earnt herself a trip to the Cheltenham Festival in landing the opening Play Coral “Racing-Super-Series” For Free Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

A 15-length scorer over course and distance previously, she took the step up to Listed company in her stride, showing real toughness to hold off 50-1 chance Brave Jen.

“She’s wonderful and just keeps getting better, better and better,” said her trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies.

“The poor girl will probably have go to the Cheltenham Festival now.

“I think she should have a bit of a break now and there are not a lot of races for her now. We’ll come back just before Cheltenham, hopefully.

“We’ve got to go to the mares’ race. She stays, we know she stays, she’s really tough.”

Dan Skelton’s Get A Tonic caused a 28-1 shock in the Coral Racing Club Handicap Hurdle, while there was a winner for Nicky Henderson in the Coral Committed To Safer Gambling Novices’ Hurdle as Jingko Blue (7-4 joint-favourite) fought back well to get off the mark over timber.

“He did well to get back there and I think they are smart horses, the future looks good,” said Henderson.

“I have absolutely no idea (where to go next), it’s a bit of a juggling game with the novices at the moment as they are a nice bunch – spreading them out is important.

“I think he is good, but he’s only a young horse so let’s go one step at a time.

“He probably learnt a lot from his run at Warwick when he was beaten and he was very green that day, but he is growing up all the time.”

Joe Tizzard’s Haldon Gold Cup winner Elixir De Nutz defied a 5lb rise and top-weight when winning the Coral Get Closer To The Action Handicap Chase, better known as the Jim Joel Memorial.

Elixir De Nutz absolutely pings the last
Elixir De Nutz absolutely pings the last (Steve Paston/PA)

The grey put in some prodigious leaps on his way to victory for 5lb conditional Freddie Gingell, Tizzard’s nephew, and the 9-2 chance held off Master Chewy by a length and a half.

Gingell said: “He’s been amazing, winning the Haldon Gold Cup three weeks ago was amazing, that was a target so now is a bonus.

“He jumped better today than the last day, he got into a better rhythm.

“I ride for Paul (Nicholls) and Joe and I’m associated with two very good yards.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns