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)