Weatherbys Champion

Bumper (In Memory Of Sir Johnny Weatherby) (Grade 1)

COLIN Keane is more accustomed to riding winners at Royal Ascot than at these four days at Prestbury Park, but the six-time Irish champion flat jockey and fellow Meathman Noel Meade turned the venue into Royal (County) Cheltenham thanks to a top-class display from The Mourne Rambler in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

Seven other champion flat jockeys have tried to win this race against the best of the National Hunt fraternity, and only Jamie Spencer had successfully carried out the task on Pizarro in 2002 before this.

After being tight for room early, Juddmonte’s number-one rider in Europe found his space and picked his way through the field to challenge with pristine timing in the closing stages.

He had an ultra-talented partner in this five-year-old by Well Chosen, and finished two and three-quarter lengths clear of the Skeltons’ well-regarded Mets Ta Ceinture.

Keane returned to the winner’s enclosure with the Irish tricolour raised aloft, greeted by an ecstatic group of connections attached to winning owner Phil Polly.

“It was something different, but very enjoyable all the same!” quipped the Breeders’ Cup and multiple Irish classic-winning jockey.

“When you’re riding a nice horse, it’s a big help. I got to sit on him at home once and he felt like a good horse - like a horse who could win on the flat if you wanted him to. I tried to follow the right lads - I felt we were going plenty quick enough, but coming down the hill got into rhythm and it all worked out from there.

“It’s a very special atmosphere here. I’ve been fortunate enough to have some good days, but this is kind of a bucket-list thing to tick off, to ride here, let alone to ride a winner. In terms of how it compares with riding on the flat, it was like the first two furlongs of a Topaz Mile around Galway! And without stalls.

“The crowds are at a different level to what we’re used to. I know Ascot would be busy, but this is some atmosphere here. It was brilliant. When Noel rang me two weeks ago, it was an easy ‘yes’ if I could get the licence sorted. I wouldn’t mind coming back next year, but it’d have to be for a good one!”

Rollercoaster week

It has been quite a week in the life for one of the finest riders in European flat racing. Only the previous Thursday, Keane returned home from Dubai after being unable to travel for a number of days when the Middle East conflict unfolded.

And it was just last Sunday that he got engaged to his long-term partner, Kerri Lyons.

“I was stuck in Dubai for a few days, and it was just not knowing when you were getting home that was the most difficult part. The first few days were rough enough, but then you got used to it and knew where to be. It was just that flights were getting cancelled, not getting on flights, but thankfully we all got home together and in one piece.

“I was fortunate enough to propose to Kerri. Thankfully she said yes - she had long enough to think about it, we’re going out a long time!”

Meade added: “People were slagging me for booking Colin and saying that those flat jockeys will get killed in this race, but I told them this is no flat jockey, he’s different class. They won’t frighten this champion.

“It’s marvellous to be back here. We’ve only got about 15 jumpers - about a third of what we used to have - but we’ve got about 45 flat horses. It’s just great.

“I know this family and everything that’s been bred has been good. This fellow is the best of them and I thought he’d handle the ground because he’s light. I’d say he’ll stay at two miles because he has plenty of speed. His jumping needs a bit of ironing out, but we can work on that now.”