Jonjo O'Neill jnr shows why he could be in demand after ending Dennis drought

At Newbury on Saturday Jonjo O’Neill suggested he would be happier if his up-and-coming conditional jockey son Jonjo would get more outside rides.

Just 48 hours later O’Neill jnr landed the mount on the David Dennis-trained Deauville Dancer in the feature 2m4f handicap chase and showed just why his 5lb claim would not last much longer after getting the better of a duel with Opening Batsman for a length-and-three-quarters call.

Dennis was ending a long losing spell and explained why he had booked the youngster. “I felt the horse was still a few pounds too high in the handicap, so I had to get the best claiming rider I could find and Jonjo fitted that bill very well as he has the right pedigree.