'Thank God we're finally rolling' - John O'Donoghue continues red-hot form as smart Jareth strikes

Trainer John O'Donoghue is finishing the season with a flourish and he saddled his fourth winner from his last eight runners when Jareth bolted up by six and a half lengths in the mile maiden, confirming himself a smart prospect.

Having finished an encouraging fourth over 5½f on his debut at Sligo in August, the Make Believe gelding improved plenty for that effort and a significant step up in trip. Ronan Whelan made virtually all on the 16-5 shot, with runner-up Georg Zhukov keeping him company on the front end, but he shrugged that rival off with an electric turn of foot approaching the furlong pole.

While O'Donoghue noted the campaign had been largely frustrating, the stable is being rewarded for its patience and beginning to really find its stride, with this a third winner from four runners in the last four days to bring the season's tally to six winners.

"We always thought there was a maiden in him and we just wanted to pick our spot," said O'Donoghue. "The maidens' landscape in Ireland is tricky, so thankfully it worked in our favour today and I'd say we'll go up in grade before the end of the year.

"Sligo was soft and it was good today, so he is versatile ground-wise and there is plenty more to come. We'll look at a Pattern race before the season ends and could head to the UK.

"Thank God we're finally rolling as it had been a very frustrating year. They all just needed time although we are capitalising on it now."

Caffrey and Hassett trade blows in apprentice title battle

Adam Caffrey moved one clear of James Ryan in the race to be champion apprentice when steering 8-1 shot Skontonovski to his tenth career success in the mile handicap for trainer Ado McGuinness. 

The seven-year-old produced his best display of the season as he thundered five and a half lengths clear of 5-2 favourite Warazam.

McGuinness said: "It's neck and neck in the apprentice title but I'm running out of ammunition for Adam. We're not a huge big yard and he hasn't ridden many maiden winners, as I don't have horses of that calibre, but he's been brilliant. Most of his winners have come in handicaps which isn't an easy thing to do.

"Adam's been with me three years now and it took him 30 odd rides before he rode a winner so I was getting a bit of pressure! But he's repaid me and he works very hard."

Wayne Hassett went into joint-second with Ryan in the standings when he partnered 5-6 favourite Londonofficecallin to victory in the 1m4½f handicap. After landing a handicap at Down Royal ten days ago for Eric McNamara, the winner was defying a 9lb rise and made a winning stable debut for Gavin Cromwell when holding on by half a length from Tastyee.

Lordan at the double

Aidan O'Brien and Wayne Lordan combined for a double as 5-6 favourite Mint Candy got off the mark at the fourth attempt when defeating Joyful Princess in the opening mile maiden and 4-6 shot Autumn Winter also justified favouritism in the 1m4½f handicap, making a winning return to action having last been seen finishing seventh in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot.

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