Gambled-on and impressive Longque gives Hendrick 1st track winner

Jack Hendrick, a 2nd cousin of Jamie Codd, rode his first track winner aboard the gambled-on and impressive Longque in the Molson Coors INH Flat Race at Down Royal.

Hendrick has twelve successes to his name in point-to-points and it was apparent from yesterday that he was on a likely type here in Sean Doyle’s newcomer Longque.

From a leading point-to-point outfit this Shantou five-year-old is a very saleable commodity now, and connections clearly knew they had a good one as fancy odds quickly disappeared about the exciting youngster.

Tumbling from 'a fleeting 40s’ all the way into a starting price of 4/1, Longque beat outsider Atlantic Adventure by four and a quarter lengths.

Market-leaders Champagne Sparkles (3rd) and Fissa (5th) failed to come up to expectations.

Not surprisingly though Jamie Codd, rider of Champagne Sparkles, was quick with a well done pat on the back for Hendrick on pulling up.

"He's a nice horse. He was ready to rock there for a five-year-old maiden point-to-point and we said we would chance him in a bumper,” said Hendrick.

"We always thought he was a very nice horse in his work, I've ridden him in a few bits of work. He showed there now that he is a good horse.

"That's my third ride on the track and my first winner. I've ridden 12 point-to-point winners and I've had about 140 point-to-point rides.

"I'm 21 and from Wexford and I'm a second cousin of Jamie Codd's. I'm based with Cormac Doyle."

Mr C. Abernethy, rider of Hidden Diva trained by Mrs Caroline McCaldin, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was out of control when she cocked her jaw and ran out.

(MG & EM)