Summerville Boy keeps George and Burke flying high over the holidays

The clock was not exactly ticking on Johnny Burke's time in Britain, but any thoughts of a return to Ireland are firmly on the back-burner after the jockey's purple patch continued when he captured the Relkeel on Summerville Boy.

The Grade 2 was the Tom George-trained gelding's first win over hurdles since his Supreme triumph at the 2018 Festival and he earned a quote of 25-1 with Betfair for the Stayers' Hurdle at this year's festival.

Thoughts of that can wait for now as Burke reflected on a 13-day spell that has yielded a valuable handicap hurdle success on Not So Sleepy, the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase on George's Bun Doran and a Grade 1 second on stablemate Black Op.

"It's great to get winners here," said the rider, who moved to Britain in 2017 for a role with Charlie Longsdon - but has formed a productive partnership with George.

"It was probably a slow start but it's picking up now and Bun Doran was nice the other day.

"Tom has known me since I was very young as he's always bought point-to-pointers from my dad [Liam]. I'd have had my first rides for him four years ago and when I moved over to Charlie Longsdon's there was a spare at Ascot one day, Sir Valentino in a valuable chase. He won and it progressed from there."

Summerville Boy (centre) stays on bestCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Burke, who described George as a very easy man to work for, added: "When I moved over I had in my head that I'd give myself until I was 25 and I turned 24 over Christmas. If things hadn't worked out here 25 was the age to go home to Ireland and try to plot a career from there.

"Now I'm settled in and enjoying riding every day - horses like this are a massive help too. I've great support and my agent Chris Broad does a wonderful job and Henrietta Knight has been very good to me. I school for her once a week and that's great for my confidence.

"Good horses make good jockeys. I was fortunate at a young age to have the Potts job and then, through injuries and what not and moving to England, it took a while to settle in, to get to know the tracks, but this relationship with Tom has been great for me.

"There's a better class of horse, good owners and a great team of staff to work with."

Tom George: enjoying big winners over the last two weeksCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Gloucestershire-based George gave Burke a glowing reference in return and was thrilled with the son of Sandmason, who struck over fences at Uttoxeter in November but fell in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase last time.

"Two of Roger Brookhouse's horses - Black Op and him - were my highflyers and it's testament to Mr Brookhouse when things go wrong, not when things go right," said the trainer, also buoyed by a fruitful festive period.

"They've had their problems, but are back on track and we're enjoying it.

"Black Op was second in a Grade 1, The Worlds End won a Grade 1 and Bun Doran won the Desert Orchid. It's all about the big days and we're lucky to have these horses to race."

Relkeel replay and result

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