Smashing and Jonathan Burke© Photo Healy Racing
Jonathan Burke has made a fine start in his job as first-jockey to leading owners Ann and Alan Potts and the teenager today rode out his claim when steering his 60th winner, on the Henry De Bromhead trained Smashing which made virtually all to win the PMF Accountants Beginners Chase at Gowran today.
The son of Samdoun was the third French bred winner on the day and, having sauntered clear of chief rival Upsie from the third last fence, stayed on strongly to beat that rival by all of 33 lengths.
Afterwards De Bromhead stated "he jumped great and it was the performance you'd be hoping he'd give. Jonny (Burke) said he was brilliant, and when he gave him a click going to three out he went away.
"He's entered in the Arkle but obviously on his form with Un De Sceaux he'd struggle. He was fourth in a Coral Cup so the JLT Chase (at Cheltenham) could be the way to go.
"There is also the 2m1f race at Navan (Flyingbolt) which is in three weeks time, and if he went there he wouldn't go to Cheltenham. I'll have to see what Alan and Ann want to do."
Paddy Power cut Smashing to 25/1 (from 33s) for the JLT Chase and left him unchanged at 25/1 for the Arkle Chase at the same festival.
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee
