Doyle will keep Jack ride
by Michelle Fortune, 13 October 2008
Conditional jockey Jack Doyle has been confirmed as the preferred rider for Crack Away Jack as he gears up for an assault at the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.
Emma Lavelle's youngster enhanced his Champion Hurdle credentials with a determined win at Kempton and he is now likely to target some of the season's biggest two-mile contests, including the "Fighting Fifth" at Newcastle next month.
Although Doyle will be unable to use his 3lb claim in the race, Lavelle has confirmed that the young jockey will retain the ride on the four-year-old.
"One of the reasons for using Jack was the fact that he is young and obviously very talented, but I wanted some continuity with the horse," Lavelle told the Racing Post.
"He has now run five times for five different jockeys, and the likes of Ruby Walsh, Timmy Murphy, and Paul Carberry cannot commit to him every time, as they're all attached to big yards.
"Jack did absolutely nothing wrong at Chepstow, he gave him a smashing ride and I think on the back of that we'll all be very happy for him to continue to ride the horse.
"At the end of the day I can't believe it will be long before he loses his claim anyway, so I don't think that 3lb is going to make much of a difference."
Crack Away Jack had come in for plenty of support for the Champion Hurdle prior to his run at Kempton and he was cut further following his triumph. Lavelle was pleased with the performance, but she has yet to decide what races to target for the remainder of the year.
"Prior to him running I hadn't looked any further than that because I didn't know where I was looking. I didn't know whether I was looking for a novice chase or taking another stepping stone to the Champion Hurdle," she continued.
"Obviously, on the back of that it will be another stepping stone towards the Champion Hurdle, but I haven't as yet made any firm plans. I thought we would savour the moment. The Fighting Fifth is an option and he is much more likely to be seen out on a big galloping track like Newcastle than he is on a tighter track like Wincanton."