Wellington Arch (6-1) repeated his 2025 success to take the first race on Ladies Day, the £75,000 William Hill Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles.
Despite being rated a stone higher than 12 months ago, the seven-year-old battled on well to win by a length and a quarter from Ike Sport (14-1).
AJ O’Neill, who trains the winner alongside his father Jonjo, said: "His jumping was a little bit sketchy at one stage but ‘Jonje’ has done a great job getting him back into a rhythm to go and win again off a considerably higher mark than last year. All thanks to Mike and Mary Gaskell (owners) who have been very good supporters of ours.
“It was a very brave performance and ‘Jonje’ gave him an awesome ride and had him in a great spot all the way. We felt he’d run a big race as he has strengthened up a lot and is a big gorgeous horse. He went to Punchestown afterwards last year and we might consider it, but we’ll enjoy today first.”
Jonjo O’Neill added: “It’s fantastic. The boys are doing a great job and I’m just overseeing it. My life’s a bit easier and I’m enjoying it more. I think it’s probably more credit to their mother than to me, but that’s life, and thanks to Mary and Mike for having the horses with us as without these people we can’t be successful.”
Winning rider Jonjo O’Neill Jr said: Jonjo O’Neill jnr: “I was very comfortable - we kept it very straightforward last year and tried to do the same, although he had a lot more weight this year. He was very tough today; it was a long way after the last, but his form has improved since last year and he’s a stronger type of horse. He’s got a bit more big-race experience, but I thought it was a good performance to come and do it again. There have been a couple of times in his career when I’ve used him and I don’t think he’s got an awful long run in him - I just wanted to have one go. He didn’t jump too well in the race, but he jumped the last well and I just had enough to get to the line.
“It was disappointing yesterday - Highlands Legacy ran well but just missed the last - but I knew I had a good book of rides today, this fellow probably being the main one. It’s great for the team, great for Jackdaws, and obviously we had a trying winter but a really good spring. We knew at the beginning of the season we didn’t have many Grade One horses, but we thought we had some quality that could win good handicaps. This horse will make a lovely chaser next year.
“Big races are what it’s all about - big festivals and good horses are what make you tick, really. It’s important to have winners at these meetings to remind people you can do it.”
Neil Mulholland, trainer of the runner-up Ike Sport, said: “He’s run a cracker. I’m very happy with that. He’s a good, solid horse who you can take to all of these nice meetings. He’s won about £120,000 and he only cost £16,000. He’s given the owners a lot of fun.”
