Jonjo O'Neill

Diamond Geezer

Diamond Geezer

Gone But Not Forgotten
Joined
May 2, 2003
Messages
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Spookydooky doesn't go in the Peter Marsh Chase on Saturday, there's nothing else entered and the yard has only sent out one runner since Jan 2nd . Bit curious unless they've just done the flu jabs I suppose, Nicholls had a quiet two or three weeks when he had his done.
 
Jonjo says shut up DG :lol: he's freezing his balls off trying to get some work into them and there's definetly no need for :cool: at jackdaw right now
 
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Holywell also dropped a very useful looking 5lb's. Has the Grand National always been the plan off a very handy weight? It wouldn't be difficult to plan for given they would have had a very good idea what weight Many clouds would get.

Holywell (40/1) would carry 11st and is attractively priced if you're prepared to believe this years runs have been part of the plan, and Shutthefrontdoor (25/1) would run off 10st 12lb, which also looks very handy given he carried 11st 9lb's last year and only faded on the run in.

Both look very nicely weighted in the context of the race, and I've had a few speculative quid ew on both.

The other one, although it's not for this thread really, is Triolo D'alene. All three will trade at less than half their odds if they line up which two of them surely will, and ensure a tidy profit.
 
From Narrowing The Field, maybe it's why some horses are finding their way to Joseph O'Brien these days (my words)

He had 4 losers from 4 runners over the weekend. On its own that’s not too much to worry about but when you factor it into the wider picture of his last TWENTY-EIGHT runners all having LOST, his seven day stats of 0/18 and his 14 days stats of 2/45 I think it’s clear that the Jackdaw Castle runners have not exactly hit the ground running.
In fairness he did have two placed efforts over the weekend so that did hint at some signs of life albeit both paced runners (Festive Affair & In The Rough) did come there with threatening runs only to bottom out in the closing stages.
Both those placed runners came in Handicap Chases and it’s worth pointing out that he’s had a noticeable lack of winners in the top level/valuable Handicap Chases over the last couple of seasons.


So far in 2016 only one of his 29 runners in Handicap Chases worth 20k+ to the winner have been successful, a rather pitiful strike-rate of 3%.


In 2015 NONE of his 30 runners in such races hit the target.
That gives a two year combined total of 1/59.
Now it’s not as if he was firing in winners in those races (Handicap Chases worth 20k+ to the winner) willy-nilly prior to the last couple of seasons, but he was picking off a consistent amount each year…
2014 – 5/46 | 11% S/R
2013 – 3/39 | 8% S/R
2012 – 3/25 | 12% S/R
2011 – 3/24 | 13% S/R
2010 – 3/28 | 11% S/R



In what are some of the most competitive races on the calendar (20k+ Handicap Chases) those figures are pretty decent, his figures for the last couple of years, however, are far from anything to shout about.


Could it be Jonjo will have a raft of well-handicapped horses in his yard when his string do finally hit a patch of form?

Or is there more to it than that?
Last year Jonjo ‘only’ recorded 81 winners. That was his lowest total of winners in the past 15 seasons. What was the one big difference last year? No AP McCoy in the saddle.

Is that the real reason behind the dip in winners for the yard? Was McCoy such an integral part of the Jackdaws machine that they are just struggling now he’s hung up his riding boots?
It’s certainly something to consider…

Whatever the reason behind the Jonjo dip they are certainly a yard that you need to be a shade wary of at present, at least until the winners start to flow a bit more.
 
For me he's consistently failed to produce the volume and type of winner that his setup suggests he should and it's only been his "ability" to get one ready for Cheltenham in March that has saved him from severe criticism.

Even though he's only been training for 6 months or so I'd much prefer to send Joseph my horse rather than Jonjo.
 
Very interesting stats DG. Does his strike rate in lesser races show the same sort of change since AP's retirement? It's always possible that it's just been about having the horses available.
 
Diamond Geezer said:
Could it be Jonjo will have a raft of well-handicapped horses in his yard when his string do finally hit a patch of form?
Click to expand...

Most definetly, Holywell ran poorly throughout last season but came to the Tuesday of the festival bouncing, Apart from Holywell though,Jonjo didn't really have the ammo he's had in recent seasons imo

I haven't a clue why More Of That was pulled out of the Colin Parker on Sunday but his current h'cap mark of 154 will look extremely workable come March especially if more than likely happens he runs a couple of poor races when the ground finally softens between now and Christmas.

It may not sit comfortably with some that a horse of his ability is running in a handicap come the festival but I'm absolutely certain that's where he'll end up.
 
I'd say if they can have him fully ready, they will target the big race at the November meeting and he'll be all out to try and win it. If he does the King George and the Gold Cup would be on his agenda.

If he falls short they'll then try to get his mark down for the Festival Chase.

I'd also suggest Rocco's targets will be decided by what More of That does in November, and he's more likely to be the one they'll mess around with this season.
 
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I know of at least two job hunters on here, this may be of interest

FULL TIME RACING SECRETARY REQUIRED


We have a fantastic opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to join the team here at Jonjo O’Neill Racing at Jackdaws Castle in the heart of the Cotswolds.


You will be responsible for entering the horses in races, liaising with owners, jockeys and vets.
Attention to detail and excellent admin skills are essential.


Excellent salary and bonus + accommodation (if required).


Please forward your CV to Joe.oneill@jonjooneillracing.com
 
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