Delight for 'proper grafter' Paul O'Brien as Irish jockey rides out his claim

When Paul O'Brien swept to the front approaching the final flight of the 2m conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle aboard Pam Sly's Takeit Easy in the final race at Wetherby on Wednesday, he knew one good leap would ensure it would be the last time he would ride in such a race.

O'Brien steadied his mount as the pair took the last before battling up the straight to fend off long-time leader and Scottish Champion hurdle third Tommy's Oscar by half a length.

That brought up a 75th career winner for O'Brien, meaning he had ridden out his claim. Reflecting on the landmark achievement, O'Brien said: "I wouldn't say it was on my mind but I was aware that I only had one left. The summer was quiet and I went back to Ireland for a bit.

Watch Paul O'Brien ride out his claim

"When I came back I was ready to get stuck in and I started thinking about it again. We thought the favourite would be hard to beat but Pam's horses are in serious form. It was a great day and it was just nice to finally get that last one."

It was fitting the Irishman achieved the feat for one of his principal supporters in Sly, who he combined memorably with last season when riding Eileendover to Listed success at Market Rasen.

O’Brien added: "Pam has been a huge supporter. She left me on Eileendover at Aintree and it didn't work out but it was a big show of faith as she could have put anyone on her."

O'Brien rode Eileendover to Listed success for 'huge supporter' Pam SlyCredit: Pool

Another key part of O'Brien's success has been Charlie Longsdon, who he joined in the summer of 2017, riding 31 winners for the Oxfordshire trainer since.

Longsdon said: "He's a proper grafter and it's richly deserved. He's always been a bloody good rider and a very good horseman. He never moans, never complains and he's a massive asset to our team. He's got masses of ability and hopefully he'll have many more winners to come."

Longsdon provided O'Brien with his first Graded success courtesy of Castafiore in 2019 and a first winner at Cheltenham (Castle Robin) and the rider said: "Charlie's been very good to me. Castafiore won a Grade 2 and then the owners left me on her for the JLT at Cheltenham, which was an unbelievable experience as a claimer. It was cool to ride a winner round Cheltenham in November last year as well."

O'Brien has ridden over a third of his winners for Charlie Longsdon including Castle Robin (middle) at Cheltenham last NovemberCredit: Alan Crowhurst

It is a week of milestones for O'Brien, as he celebrates his 30th birthday on Friday with one ride at Fakenham, aboard the Sly-trained Welland (4.33).

"Obviously I'd love to get to a hundred [winners] but at the same time I think I'd just like to keep chipping away," O'Brien said.

"Hopefully I can keep riding a few winners, ride a few nice horses and keep enjoying it. I'm not that keen on birthdays to be honest. A nice drive to Fakenham on a Friday will do me!"

Read this next:

Fakenham boss laments small fields and suggests dry spell may be a factor

The jumps season is coming! Pick up your copy of the Big Jump Off, our brand new pullout signalling the start of the 2021-22 National Hunt season. Free in the Racing Post on Monday, October 18, it's got 72 pages of unbeatable content including ante-post tips, guest columnists, divisional analysis and much more