It was a day that Jordan Gainford will never forget as he rode The Shunter to land the Paddy Power Plate in what was a breakthrough success from the rising star of the weigh room.
The 20-year-old has impressed many between the flags in recent times and made the switch to the professional ranks following the suspension of the point-to-point season in January whilst still at the top of the Under-21 riders leaderboard.
Teaming up with Emmet Mullins’eight-year-old who had previously landed the Grade Three Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle the pair raced prominently throughout to beat Farclas by three lengths.
“It’s unbelievable really. It’s something you can’t describe. It’s a feeling I’ve never had before. It is hard to describe that feeling when you cross the line, it is just something else to be honest,” said the Wexford rider.
“Today he (Emmet Mullins) told me to jump off good and smart. I rode him out this morning and he was in great form and he was very on his toes but he is a busy sort of horse. Stepping up in trip to two half should suit him and he said try and get him relaxed fourth or fifth but away from the stands he took me away a little bit so I let him enjoy himself.
“I gave him a squeeze at one or two as he tends to do his own little thing. Down to the last I just made sure I went tight and popped it. He battled hard from the last and I can’t believe it. I’ve talked to great people during the week.
“I spoke to Davy Russell the other night and he filled me full of confidence and said go out and ride like have been for the last three or four years and pretend it is point-to-pointing. A big thanks to Barry O’Neill, the champion amateur in Ireland and Colin Bowe.
“I spoke to Barry earlier on the phone and he filled me full of confidence. He said it is no different to riding a handicap chase at Wexford and to just pretend you are there.
“That’s what I kept at the back of my head and it’s just a massive thanks to everyone. It was something I didn’t have in the back of my head (the bonus) I wanted to get to the line as quickly as possible as I knew there was one or two behind me. I got there plenty earlier enough and I was a little bit worried but I knew the step up in trip would help me out. He doesn’t save himself but turning in with such horse in hand I couldn’t believe it.
“Even after the last, which he got in under a little bit, he took off again but that shows the class of horse he is.”
Emmet Mullins added his praise for the younger rider as he said:
“Jordan is catching everyone in Ireland’s eye at the moment. He’s very talented and the owner, Paul, was fairly insistent on claiming 7lb, and at that Jordan was the only option.
“He’s very good and he showed that here today.”
