'It's a family business' - new chapter launched at Jackdaws Castle as O'Neills show off exciting team for jumps season

Cheltenham and Grand National dreams are being hatched at Jackdaws Castle, where father-and-son Jonjo and AJ O'Neill prepare for their first winter as joint-trainers at the state-of-the-art training centre in the Cotswolds.  

AJ officially joined his dad on the training licence in May and the duo formally launched their new O'Neill Racing brand on Friday in front of owners and guests.

"It's a family business and AJ and Jonjo Jr do as much of the work as me and we want to show it's a shared responsibility rather than it hanging in my name," said O'Neill snr, who has saddled 27 winners at the Cheltenham Festival, including 2012 Gold Cup hero Synchronised.  

Among the horses on show were six owned by the Megson family and two for Paul and Clare Rooney, who are dipping their toes back into jump racing after a three-year hiatus. 

One of the Megson horses now at Jackdaws Castle is Tellherthename, who ran in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle for Ben Pauling last season and is likely to make his debut for O'Neill Racing at Cheltenham's November meeting. 

"We're lucky to have him," said O'Neill. "The plan as we speak is to go for the Greatwood Hurdle in November. He's got a lovely attitude and hopefully he can do the business on the track."

As well as Tellherthename, the O'Neills have taken charge of Imperial Cup third Jipcot, who runs in the Wasdell Group Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle on Saturday, and Doncaster bumper winner Monty Bodkin from Pauling. 

The two horses owned by the Rooneys at Jackdaws Castle are an unnamed half-sister to Geordie Des Champs by Walk In The Park and a Masked Marvel gelding named Buff Egan.

"It's great to be training for Paul and Clare," said the 72-year-old. "They're two nice horses who we're looking forward to running in bumpers."

Springwell Bay: 145-rated hurdler set to embark on a chasing careerCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The Jackdaws Castle team looks strong in the novice chase division this season, with 145-rated hurdler Springwell Bay, Challow Hurdle fourth Johnnywho, Saint Davy and Mt Fugi Park all ready to start over fences. 

Monbeg Genius, third in the Coral Gold Cup last season but who missed the Grand National after suffering an injury at the Cheltenham Festival, will race in the colours of the stable's sponsor Martin Tedham this season, with Aintree in April once again the big target. 

"Things didn't go to plan after Newbury last season," said AJ O'Neill. "We'd planned to go to the Classic Chase at Warwick but he got a stone bruise, so we waited for Kelso instead and he ran poorly on a track that was probably too sharp for him.

"He got quite a nasty but fortunately superficial cut at Cheltenham and it was a disappointing season in the end. The Sodexo Gold Cup at Ascot might be a good starting point for him.

"If it was softer ground than last year, we'd definitely think about the Coral Gold Cup again. The Welsh National and Classic Chase would be options beyond that, and ultimately we'd like to get him to the Grand National this season."

Iron Bridge: Welsh National runner-up will bid to go one better in DecemberCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Iron Bridge, second in the Welsh National last year, will bid to go one better at Chepstow in December, while Cheltenham Festival runner-up Crebilly is likely to revert to fences after his return to action over hurdles at Chepstow on Saturday.  

God Of Fire, who cost 70,000gns out of Dan and Claire Kubler's yard in September, is one of a growing number of dual-purpose prospects at Jackdaws Castle and is likely to make his debut for his new yard on the Flat next month.  

"It's a competitive market but there's a lot of scope for horses to be dual-purpose," said 25-year-old AJ. "God Of Fire is qualified for the London Middle Distance Series final at Kempton in November and I think that would be an option. He's still for sale and is a nice prospect."

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