Friday’s point-to-point bumper at Aintree was won by the Eamonn O’Donovan-trained Rebel Tribesman under Sean O’Connor.
The four-year-old son of emerging stallion Crystal Ocean scored by a length from the Ian Chanin-trained What A Glance with Low Kick, under trainer/rider Jack Teal, finishing three-quarters of a length third of the 17 runners.
For O’Connor (pictured above), who hails from Co Cork, it was another moment in the spotlight as he attempts to establish himself with rides in point-to-points and under rules. He has now ridden Rebel Tribesman twice, finishing third on him in a maiden race over two and a half miles at Garthorpe before the Aintree victory.
He said of Friday's bumper: “The race worked out well for me. He’d jumped round in a point-to-point when we dropped him in and it revved him up a bit being bounced around by other horses, so we decided to line him up wide to give him a bit of room. He’s a small horse, but as he showed on Friday evening he has plenty of heart.
“I knew he had a lot of speed, so I delayed my run as long as I could, then when I got to the wings [of the final removed hurdles] I gave him a crack and it was over pretty much then. He was green and raw and there’s improvement to come. He’d be unbelievable over a hurdle – he would be slick and quick and made for that.”
O’Connor works for Dan Skelton, but also has an association with Tom Lacey for whom he rode smart Maisemore Park winner In A Sonnet who was subsequently bought by Willie Mullins.
He said: “I go into Tom’s once every two or three weeks just to get a feel for the younger horses, and I got the ride on Rebel Tribesman because Eamonn is Tom’s head lad.
“I’ve been in Britain for nearly five years. I didn’t ride in Irish point-to-points, but I had a few rides in bumpers before I moved over here. I’m good friends with John Supple, the brother of Robbie Supple the starter. He got Bryan Carver and David Noonan going, and I suppose I hoped something similar might happen for me. I’m not doing as good a job as them, but I’ll give it a go. I really enjoy getting on young horses and am happy riding four-year-olds for Tom, so we’ll see how things work out.”