Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- irishracing.com
- Cheltenham
- News
- 'Quirky' Moonovercloon picks up another winning thread
Michael Graham
'Quirky' Moonovercloon picks up another winning thread
Moonovercloon, right, sweeps past Game And Glory
© Photo Healy Racing
Moonovercloon skipped right away from Game And Glory in the closing stages of the Francie 'Banger' Burns Handicap Hurdle at Sligo.
Game And Glory had got the better of Arctic Ambition after they both travelled smoothly into contention approaching two out.
However, 9/4 favourite Moonovercloon loomed large out wide before the last and left Game And Glory in his wake as he stormed into the lead 150 yards from home.
He drew some six and a-half lengths clear of the 11/2 runner-up who was eight and a-half lengths in front of Arctic Ambition (11/4).
Jockey James Smith said: "He's very quirky, he wasn't going a yard there the whole way and it was only when he got a bit of daylight he took off. Two out I didn't think I was going to win, but as soon as you pull him out he takes off.
"He's a hard enough ride. Some days he can be keen, he wasn't today but the last day in Galway he was, he's just hit and miss. He was a bit unlucky in Galway, he didn't get a run at all down the rail and flew home like today, but was unlucky not to have a bit further to run.
"He's versatile as regards trip, but I'd say the further the better for him."
Smith did the steering for his father Matthew Smith.
This was six-year-old gelding's Moonovercloon's third success having also scored in a bumper at Kilbeggan and a handicap hurdle at Downpatrick.
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan