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Johns Spirit Sparkles for Jonjo
19/10/13

1 Johns Spirit 5/1
2 Rob Conti 16/1
3 Sew On Target 25/1
4 Tartak 11/1
16 ran Distances: 3½l, 1l, nk
TIME 4m 51.51s (slow by 3.51s)

Jonjo O'Neill notched his 70th winner of the season when Johns Spirit was far too good for his 16 rivals in The Equus Fine Dining At The Festival Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

Johns Spirit
© Racehorse Photos

The Jackdaws Castle string have been in excellent form of late and Richie McLernon's mount could be called the winner from a long way out. Held up at the back of the field in a slowly run first circuit, the 5-1 chance travelled very smoothly throughout and was still on the bridle when hitting the front at the second-last.

The six-year-old, who was making his seasonal debut, went on to score by a cosy three and a half lengths from Rob Conti, with long-time leader Sew On Target a further length down in third.

Jacquie O'Neill, representing her husband Jonjo, said: "Richie has done a lot of schooling at home with him and having the obstacles on the all-weather gallops has helped because the grass gallops have been so firm."

Sarah Hobbs, representing husband Philip, who trains runner-up Rob Conti, said: "We are thinking in terms of bringing him back here for the Paddy Power Chase. He ran really well today."

Equus-fine Dining At The Festival Handicap Chase
£50000.00 added, 4yo plus, 2m 4f, Class 2
16 ran
Going: Good