JONJO O'NEILL RACING
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AINTREE NEWSLETTER 2022
Aintree is always something the whole racing community looks forward to. Although you are still desperate for a winner, it's much more relaxed and always a great craic!
The Grand National is the "people's" race and I'm very lucky to have won it with Don't Push It. The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the blue ribbon but the National is a race that every trainer wants to win. There is no feeling like it.
With that said, it's probably the hardest race to win! I tried many times (and failed!) as a jockey too. 40 horses jumping 30 fences over 4 miles is a huge task but someone has to win it so hopefully that will be us!
We will be taking a team of around 10 up to Liverpool which you can read about each below, with both Cloth Cap and Easysland going in the big race.
Straight after the racing on Thursday, we will be at the Goffs Aintree Sale. We have our eyes on a few exciting lots so if you're interested to get involved, please get in touch. You can find the catalogue HERE.
Back home, the horses are running well and we have had some very pleasing winners throughout March and so far in April, including two doubles in the last week. You can read all about our recent winners below.
Here's to a wonderful weekend up in Liverpool and fingers crossed for some winners.
Take care and best wishes,
Jonjo
OUR AINTREE TEAM
We will hopefully be taking a team of 10 horses up to Aintree
PETIT TONNERRE
Petit Tonnerre will go for the Juvenile race which is the second race on Thursday. He missed Cheltenham when unfortunately a non runner in the morning of the race so hopefully missing that race will be beneficial in the long run. He is very well and we're looking forward to trying to keep his unbeaten record going, although this will be his toughest test yet!
SKY PIRATE
Sky Pirate will run in the Red Rum Chase on Thursday. We're hoping he will get his ground as he really didn’t like the mud at Cheltenham last month. He again tops the weight and should go well here if the ground is ok for him.
ALL THE GLORY
All The Glory will be trying her hand in the Mares' Bumper on Thursday. This will be very difficult for her as, being her fifth bumper, she needs to run in listed events now. She is really well at home and will need a career-best performance to get in the frame here. We'd be delighted with a top half finish.
GARRY CLERMONT
Garry Clermont came out of Cheltenham ok but hated the heavy going. It will be a last minute decision as to what of his two entries on Friday he takes up. We will be on weather watch all week and I'd say if it's soft we'd head for the 2m "boys" race and if not he will probably go for the 2m4f handicap. He should go there with his chance again.
PALMERS HILL
Palmers Hill is entered for the Topham on Friday. He might take up this opportunity or wait for Cheltenham the week after. He too has had a good season winning twice but he is a hard horse to keep sound and his decision will also be made as late as possible.
COBOLOBO
Cobolobo tries the bigger fences for the second time this season but over the shorter trip also in the Topham on Friday. He will need some horses to come out of the race to secure his place but does stand a chance of getting in. He has had another good season albeit at top level races and if he performs like he did at Ascot in January we should give it a good go if he gets in.
COEUR SEREIN
Coeur Serein will go for the first race on Grand National day, and after running so well at Cheltenham could be in with a chance if that race hasn’t taken too much out of him. He is really well and has been minded since Cheltenham so fingers crossed for another solid run.
CLOTH CAP
Cloth Cap goes again in the Grand National. If the ground doesn't get too soft, he will go there with a live chance. He absolutely loves jumping and should take the field a fair way. He would prefer good ground but unfortunately, nowadays, it is nearly always good to soft which count against him.
EASYSLAND
Easysland is the opposite to Cloth Cap as he will love the softer going. His jumping is sound and I think he will love the fences. He has come out of Cheltenham really well and we're hoping he puts on a good show.
IMPERIAL BEDE
Imperial Bede would be having his first run for us but the Bumper on Saturday would be his fourth bumper in total. We are looking forward to this race before he embarks on summer's break and a novice hurdle campaign at home. He goes quite nicely and I am looking forward to going here with him.
AINTREE SALE
The Goffs UK Aintree Sale is set to make a much-anticipated return at next week’s Randox Grand National Festival after a forced two-year absence and it will offer a high-class select catalogue of pointers and form horses on Thursday 7 April after racing in the winner’s enclosure.
The Aintree Sale made its debut in 2016 and from just four select sales, it has produced a stunning five Grade 1 winners already in SAMCRO, BLACK OP, TOPOFTHEGAME, LISNAGAR OSCAR and FIDDLERONTHEROOF, the latter of which will contest the feature race of the festival this year – the Grand National. The sale was sadly suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID pandemic.
If you are interested in getting involved with ownership, please email at racingoffice@jonjooneillracing.com
The Aintree Sale made its debut in 2016 and from just four select sales, it has produced a stunning five Grade 1 winners already in SAMCRO, BLACK OP, TOPOFTHEGAME, LISNAGAR OSCAR and FIDDLERONTHEROOF, the latter of which will contest the feature race of the festival this year – the Grand National. The sale was sadly suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID pandemic.
If you are interested in getting involved with ownership, please email at racingoffice@jonjooneillracing.com
OUR RECENT WINNERS
I have been really pleased with how the horses are running and it's brilliant to have had lots of winners throughot March and the beginning of April.
Head Law wins at Huntingdon
6 MARCH
Jonjo Jr. timed his run perfectly aboard Head Law to win the opener at Huntingdon by a neck!
After settling into the race, they made headway and tracked leaders 3 out and went second before 2 out. They were close up and challenging at the last and found enough in the run-in to get his head in front at the line.
Many congratulations to owner JP McManus.
After settling into the race, they made headway and tracked leaders 3 out and went second before 2 out. They were close up and challenging at the last and found enough in the run-in to get his head in front at the line.
Many congratulations to owner JP McManus.
Head Law with Jonjo Jr. and Nick
Prince Escalus victorious again at Hereford
12 MARCH
Prince Escalus and Jonjo Jr. produced a brilliant front-running ride to win at Hereford for the second time in 2022.
The pair barely saw a rival all race as they made all, going clear before 2 out and easing down in the run in to win by 11 lengths.
Huge congratulations to Diane & Helen Benussi, Pamela Carter, Tracey Reddings and The Honourable Elizabeth Wills of The As You Like It Syndicate.
The pair barely saw a rival all race as they made all, going clear before 2 out and easing down in the run in to win by 11 lengths.
Huge congratulations to Diane & Helen Benussi, Pamela Carter, Tracey Reddings and The Honourable Elizabeth Wills of The As You Like It Syndicate.
Prince Escalus with Jonjo Jr, Alex , Diane Benussi, The Honourable Elizabeth Wills (hidden), Olivia Benussi, Shannon, Helen Benussi, Mark Benussi and Jonjo
Hang Tough wins at Chepstow
20 MARCH
Jonjo Jr. produced another superb front-running ride aboard Hang Tough at Chepstow.
The pair controlled the race with a smooth jumping display and managed to dig in under pressure in the home straight to record a brilliant victory.
We are absolutely thrilled for Steve, Shirley Ann, Eric, Tim, Lottie, Arthean, Paul, Kate, Mark, Karen and Allan of The Tough Troop Partnership.
The pair controlled the race with a smooth jumping display and managed to dig in under pressure in the home straight to record a brilliant victory.
We are absolutely thrilled for Steve, Shirley Ann, Eric, Tim, Lottie, Arthean, Paul, Kate, Mark, Karen and Allan of The Tough Troop Partnership.
Manintheshadows gets back to winning ways at Wetherby
22 MARCH
Manintheshadows and AJ O'Neill soared to an 11-length victory at Wetherby.
They were always close up and pushed along before 3 out. They were hard pressed 2 out but kept on very well, going clear approaching the last. After a good jump last they found even more in the run in for an impressive win.
We are thrilled for owner Andy Riley who was their to celebrate in style.
They were always close up and pushed along before 3 out. They were hard pressed 2 out but kept on very well, going clear approaching the last. After a good jump last they found even more in the run in for an impressive win.
We are thrilled for owner Andy Riley who was their to celebrate in style.
Manintheshadows with Aileen, owner Andy Riley, Alex, Lilly and AJ
Monbeg Genius wins impressively at Chepstow
24 MARCH
Monbeg Genius stayed on well to complete an 11-length victory at Chepstow under a confident ride by Jonjo Jr.
They tracked the leader and disputed the lead 5 out. They were in front 4 out and travelled well, surviving a scrappy jump at the second last and pulling clear towards, and after, the last.
We are absolutely delighted to Lady Michelle Mone and Doug Barrowman.
They tracked the leader and disputed the lead 5 out. They were in front 4 out and travelled well, surviving a scrappy jump at the second last and pulling clear towards, and after, the last.
We are absolutely delighted to Lady Michelle Mone and Doug Barrowman.
Ashfield Paddy wins at Hereford
25 MARCH
Ashfield Paddy brought up our 70th winner of the season at a sunny Hereford.
Jonjo Jr. took him to the front after the 4th fence and that's where they stayed, winning by 1¼ lengths.
Huge congratulations once again to owner The Honourable Elizabeth Wills.
Jonjo Jr. took him to the front after the 4th fence and that's where they stayed, winning by 1¼ lengths.
Huge congratulations once again to owner The Honourable Elizabeth Wills.
Ashfield Paddy with Jonjo, The Honourable Elizabeth Wills, Jonjo Jr. and John Dina
A double at Warwick!
31 MARCH
The team enjoyed a wonderful Thursday with a double at Warwick.
Firstly, Head Law pulled away nicely in the final 110 yards to win comfortably by 4 lengths, under a hands and heels ride by Jonjo Jr in the colours of JP McManus.
Firstly, Head Law pulled away nicely in the final 110 yards to win comfortably by 4 lengths, under a hands and heels ride by Jonjo Jr in the colours of JP McManus.
Head Law with Jonjo, Georgia and Jonjo Jr.
Just over an hour later, Are U Wise To That and Jonjo Jr. impressed on his rules debut in the bumper.
They were always prominent and was ridden to lead 2 furlongs from home. They kept on well in the final furlong and won readily.
We are absolutely thrilled for owners Michael and Jania Geoghegan!
Are U Wise To That with Jonjo, Shannon, Georgia and Jonjo Jr.
File Illico wins at Chepstow
2 APRIL
Jonjo Jr. produced a superb ride aboard aboard File Illico to win at Chepstow following up their win at Leicester exactly a month ago.
We are thrilled for owner The Honourable Elizabeth Wills once again!
We are thrilled for owner The Honourable Elizabeth Wills once again!
File Illico with Jonjo, The honourable Elizabeth Wills, Alex and Jonjo Jr.
A double at Hereford!
3 APRIL
Our good run of form continued with both Orrisdale and Gosuatri winning at Hereford in the hands of Jonjo Jr.
In a 3 runner race, Orrisdale was always prominent at the front and jumped well all the way around, with the only scare when pecking on landing at the last. However, he found lots and ran on really well to win by 1¾ lengths.
We are delighted for owner Katharine Holland.
In a 3 runner race, Orrisdale was always prominent at the front and jumped well all the way around, with the only scare when pecking on landing at the last. However, he found lots and ran on really well to win by 1¾ lengths.
We are delighted for owner Katharine Holland.
Orrisdale with Tony, Jonjo Jr, Nick and Jonjo
Gosuatri tracked the leaders and took over the lead when going well 3 out. He was pushed along after 2 out and went clear, easing down towards the line.
Many congratulations to owner JP McManus,
Gosuatri with Jonjo Jr, Jonjo and Jessie
Head Law wins at Southwell
5 APRIL
Head Law made it 2 wins in a week after following up his victory at Warwick with an equally impressive performance at Southwell today in the hands of Jonjo Jr.
Congratulations once again to JP McManus.
Congratulations once again to JP McManus.
Head Law with Jonjo Jr. and Nick
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If you would like to get in touch and find out more about getting involved in racehorse ownership please call us on 01386 584 209 or email racingoffice@jonjooneillracing.com.
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