Racing: Jumper close to being a Hero

Jumps jockey Jonathan Riddell stops short of labelling No Hero the best horse he has ridden.

No Hero, having his first jumps race in nearly two years, was an impressive winner of the $20,000 Manawatu Steeplechase (4400m) at Awapuni on Saturday when ridden by Riddell.

"I know how good he is, but he may never reach his true potential because of unsoundness," Riddell said. "Bodle has stood far and above anything else I've ever ridden, but No Hero is pushing hard to take the mantel off him."

No Hero looked a jumps' star in the making in 2003 when winning three races, including the Hawkes Bay Steeplechase. Before Saturday's race, No Hero had raced just twice - in flat races last month.

"It's been a long road back for him, but I've been waiting for this day with baited breath," Riddell said.

"He's just a dream horse and I can't help wonder what might have been and what he might have achieved by now if he had stayed sound."

The Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton was being considered for No Hero when he went amiss in a tendon.

His owner-trainers, Paul and Carol Nelson of Hastings, brought him up last year, but the horse went amiss in his other front leg before even getting back to the races, and had to be put aside again.

The Nelsons persevered and put him into work for a third time this year, fingers crossed No Hero would stand up to a thorough regime of training.

The satisfaction and relief on Paul Nelson's face on Saturday said a thousand words.

"I don't think I've ever had a bigger thrill than to see this horse come back like this today," he said.

"The last two years have been heart-breaking, but we made it, and it just goes to show what a terrific horse he is."

Paul Nelson said it's difficult to prepare a horse like him when he's a day-to-day proposition.

"You look after him as much as you can, but you can't protect him too much because he still has to have the work put into him to be ready for races like this today.

"Every day is a bonus with him," added Nelson, who won the 1991 Manawatu Steeple with Chibuku (ridden by Sue Thompson).

He will now focus his attention on a repeat success in the Hawkes Bay Steeplechase next Saturday week followed by the Grand National at Riccarton in early August.

Nelson doesn't want to get too carried away, but he did say No Hero was bigger and stronger this year.

"What helps him is the fact that he never over-races in his steeplechases. That's a great attribute to be able to relax and go to sleep until Jonathan pushes the button to go, and that's exactly what happened today.

"I'm just rapt for the horse, and to see the smile on Jonathan's face when he brought No Hero back to scale just said it all, really."

Riddell, based in Palmerston North, added: "I've been trying to win a Manawatu Steeple or an Awapuni Hurdle for a long time.

"The races haven't been held for the last three years, and the Manawatu Steeple was not held in 2000 either. But to win the big one at Manawatu on this horse is pretty special."

* Van Winkle is making a name for himself in the jumping game and was impressive winning the $20,000 Awapuni Hurdles (2900m) in the hands of comeback jockey Coran Pemberton.

The Great Northern Hurdle at Ellerslie in September is a major goal for Van Winkle, but Evan Rayner, who trains in partnership with daughter J J, is stepping lightly with him at this stage.

- NZPA