ANOTHER weekend, another big race win for jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jr.
Just seven days on from Copperhead’s Reynoldstown romp, the youngster was again the spotlight after partnering Mister Malarkey to victory in the 100,000 Betway Handicap Chase.
Colin Tizzard’s seven-year-old had lost his way somewhat this season, but back on his preferred spring ground he bounced back to see off the fast-finishing Black Corton.
Tizzard said: “That was a brilliant ride from young Jonjo. He had to get at him for the first mile and then he never missed a beat for the final five jumps.
“The ground has come right and it proves he wasn’t quite 100 per cent right early in the season. I would say that is his best ever run.
“He’s in the Ultima and I’m sure he will go there if he comes out of this OK, as that was always the idea on better ground. This is the horse we saw last season.”
The Grand National could be the long-term plan with the horse but ground looks the key to his chances.
Tizzard explained: “It was the ground last time and he was a good sixth in the Ladbrokes Trophy before that. He definitely got stuck in the mud at Ascot.
