Downpatrick amateur rider Danny Mc Menamin partnered his biggest winner to date when claiming the £100,000 Greatwood Hurdle… Sunday’s feature on the final day of Cheltenham’s November meeting aboard Nietzsche.
The Brian Ellison-trained winner was a 20/1 shot and prevailed by a neck over Silver Streak in a photo finish to maintain the eighteen year old’s winning streak having recorded his first double at Ayr only a fortnight ago writes Joe Kavanagh.
Ellison, a regular buyer of local horses including Definitely Red and Ravenhill Road said: “ The horse lost his way last year. I was optimistic he would run well today and he likes the track. He was third in the Fred Winter Hurdle at the festival last year. I was just a bit worried he had hit the front too early. The lad works for Nicky’s (Richards) stable and I watched him ride at Kelso and we used him today. He’s a very good rider.”
McMenamin started on the local pony racing circuit prior to joining Downpatrick trainer Brian Hamilton and has been with Richards for the past year and said: “ I want to thank Mr Ellison and the owners for putting me up. It was a big one to win.
“I was always travelling so well maybe a bit too well. I got a breather into him coming down the hill and after I jumped the last, he kicked on as there was nothing to come with me. Mr Ellison told me go out and give him the best chance and that he travels very well and at the weight he is carrying should take all the beating.”
Palmer’s Hill bought from Wilson Dennison’s Templepatrick nursery for £310,000 last year by the Mc Manus family won the opener on day three of the Cheltenham meeting. The winner now trained by Jonjo O’Neill was partnered by his son, Jonjo Junior in the conditional riders handicap hurdle – winning with considerable ease.
The talented five year old won his point to point at Tyrella and had previously won a bumper for connections.
