Adrian Heskin admits he’d be thrilled to deliver Cheltenham Festival glory to Greenock.
The 30-year-old is determined to get back into the winners enclosure at the showpiece meeting. At the same time, the opportunity to succeed for his Scottish pals offers a huge additional motivation for Heskin. As well as being retained jockey for owner Max McNeill, the talented Irishman also rides the jumps horses of Greenock brothers Patrick and Scott Bryceland.
With the smart Magical Zoe, the Scots siblings have an outstanding chance of landing success a week today in the Jack De Bromhead Mares Novices’ Hurdle. The following afternoon, Three Card Brag, trained by Gordon Elliott, goes for the Bryceland boys and McNeill in the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle. Heskin knows providing a Festival winner for his friends would be a wonderful moment and said: “It’s great for Paddy and Scott to be going to the Festival with two live chances.
“We’re really excited about Magical Zoe. After the race was won at Down Royal, [trainer] Henry [De Bromhead] made the plan to go direct to Cheltenham with her. That was always the idea. She won her maiden around Wexford and then went onto Down Royal and won cosily beating a good field.
“The form of that race has been franked all the way along through the winter, so, although she might not be at the forefront of some people’s minds, she is definitely one of the main contenders. I think she will do well for the break and I sat on her recently. With a bit of luck on the day, she will run well for the boys.
“Paddy and Scott also have Three Card Brag with Max and he has pleased us all season. He won his bumper last season and then won in Galway. After that, he was placed in two graded races over inadequate trips and he was good when we rode him like a real stayer on the last day at Fairyhouse.
“He’s got a really good staying pedigree and we think the step up to three miles is really going to suit. So if we got a bit of rain for the Friday, it would really suit as I feel he would gallop all day and it is great to have a horse like him going to the Festival.
“It’s a warm feeling riding for friends, but it is a results game at the end of the day. Everything is about results and, when you can get results for Paddy and Scott and Max, the kick you get is superb. You don’t just get back in the car and go home. You enjoy it with them afterwards and it is a great feeling.”
Of course, there is a highly-emotional element attached to the Magical Zoe contest.
The race has been renamed by original sponsor Michael O’Leary and Ryanair in memory of the trainer’s son Jack who died six months ago aged just 13 following a pony racing accident.
Magical Zoe had won on the same day as the tragedy and the tears will flow at the Festival if one of the De Bromhead team can win the race.
Patrick, who was on his way to watch a Morton game at Cappielow when the awful news came, said: “Henry is a gentleman and it would be wonderful if Magical Zoe could win the race in the name of the family after all they have been through.”
Heskin will be trying his hardest from the saddle as he aims to add to his two previous wins.
He said: “I was a young boy back then when A New Story won. I was 18 years old. It was my first time ever going to England and the day passed me in a blur.
“After that, I was lucky enough to ride Martello Tower to win the Albert Bartlett in 2015.
“That was obviously eight years ago, so I’d say I am due a taste of it again and let’s hope it comes around again this year.
“If we are lucky enough to get a winner at the Festival, I’d say it will be celebrated alright!”
