O’Regan in showstopping form

Denis O’Regan is riding with renewed confidence at present and was again seen to great effect aboard Beamazed in the Cumberland Show Handicap Chase at Carlisle.

O’Regan’s career appeared to be at a crossroads when he lost his position as Howard Johnson’s stable jockey a couple of years ago, but after a spell in the wilderness he is once again showing what a talent he is.

Having fallen and unseated his rider on his last two starts, Malcom Jefferson’s 16-1 chance barely put a foot wrong in beating Vamizi by five lengths and as O’Regan coaxed him round, he will not have known he had had a race.

The trainer said: “He loves the ground, loves this type of track, and loves going right-handed. I told Denis he was bouncing at home and when he came back in, he said, ‘You were right about him bouncing, I couldn’t hold him’. His jumping was very good and Denis gave him a great ride. He stays forever and he must have soft ground.”

Tenor Nivernais defied top weight, and landed some tasty bets in the process, in the Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle. Backed from 11-2 into 7-2 favourite just before the off, the Venetia Williams-trained five-year-old relished the testing conditions and never looked like being beaten.

Ridden confidently by 5lb claimer Robbie Dunne, Tenor Nivernais found things much easier than when unplaced behind Celestial Halo at Newbury last time out, but had previously won at Haydock in heavy ground.

Dunne said: “He copes very well with the (heavy) ground, he just gallops through it. It’s probably the key to him. It’s not necessary, but it’s definitely a help.”

David Pipe’s Big Occasion (5-1) made the long journey from Devon worthwhile for jockey Tom Scudamore. Twice a winner for Aidan O’Brien, quite what he made of Carlisle on a cold day after the exquisite surroundings of Ballydoyle is anybody’s guess.

Having won on his hurdling debut at Chepstow, he was only fourth at Huntingdon last time out but relished the drop in trip and jumped exceptionally well on his way to beating Tiger Maguire by six lengths in the Cumbrian Novices’ Hurdle.

Sam Twiston-Davies was another jockey who did not waste his journey with an all-the-way win on the Barry Brennan-trained Brixen (6-4 favourite) in the British Stallion Studs EBF/TBA Mares’ Novices’ Chase. O’Regan had tried to creep into contention on Classical Mist, but was still a neck down at the line.