O'Neill completes four-timer

DANE O'NEILL rode the first four-timer of his career at Brighton yesterday on Rumbustious (100 to 30), Interdream (20 to 1), Rapier (11 to 8) and Jo Maximus (10 to 1) to clinch a rousing 2,376 to 1 quartet. The first three winners helped O'Neill's boss Richard Hannon to a 215 to 1 treble.

The apprentice, who lost his right to claim a fortnight ago, had only ridden a treble before this, spread over two meetings.

Dane's afternoon to remember began when Rumbustious took the opener in fine style. The filly, despite carrying her head on one side in the Aldrington Nursery, raced up the centre of the track and got in front inside the final furlong. She beat Saint Who and Life On The Street by a length and three quarters and half a length.

Interdream came from last to first in the Tattersalls Maiden Auction Stakes to beat Swiss Coast, the 5 to 6 favourite, with Here's to Howie third.

Rapier rewarded her trainer's decision to risk him on the going when swooping in the Garden Award Maiden Stakes to defeat St Lawrence. The son of Sharpo is owned by Noodles Racing, a four-strong Hong Kong syndicate and it put Hannon on the 86-mark for the season.

O'Neill completed his field day when Jo Maximus saw off the opposition in the Hanningtons Of Brighton Handicap.

Winning trainer Simon Dow was full of praise for O'Neill and relieved as it was the stable's first winner in three weeks.

Dow said: "Dane rode him beautifully giving him a breather just when he needed it. The gelding is a bit of a course specialist and that was his third win here.

The Friends of Queens Park Apprentice Selling Handicap was for young riders who had not ridden not more than 25 winners, and Corey Adamson, who has had 25, was the most experienced in the race. Adamson duly won, making all on Colour Councillor (15 to 2), to beat Ella Agapi Mou.

Winning trainer Mark Flower said: "The others let us do what we wanted - they went to sleep and we pinched a few lengths at the vital time."

Afon Alwen made it a satisfying day for trainer Stuart Williams, who had gone to Pontefract to see his Ayunli win. Richard Quinn made all on Afon Alwen to beat Golden Fawn in the Race Hill Maiden Fillies' Stakes.