Press
Racing Post – 1st May 2012
A noticeable success at Cheltenham was the first half of a remarkable double-double for Malcolm Jefferson. Always regarded as one of the shrewdest in the business, the Yorkshire-based handler took both the Pertemps Final with Cape Tribulation and the Martin Pipe Conditionals’ Hurdle with Attaglance. Astonishingly, the pair both followed up from revised marks in valuable handicap hurdles at Aintree. In my book, it was the training performance of the year.
Racing Post – Written by David Baxter
Attaglance: defied top weight to land Aintree’s Listed handicap hurdle. (c) John Grossick
13th April 2012
HAVING waited over 30 years to have a winner at Aintree, Malcolm Jefferson now has two in as many days after Attaglance emulated stablemate Cape Tribulation by defying top weight in the Listed 2m4f handicap hurdle for a length and three-quarters win.
The similarities do not stop there, as like Thursday winner Cape Tribulation, Attaglance came into the race off the back of a Cheltenham Festival win, landing the Martin Pipe Hurdle last month, and coped with a rise to top weight for another competitive contest.
Jefferson said: “He was never on the bridle but he’s tough and he gallops. He always gives you a good feel and is a lovely horse, very straightforward.”
For jockey Harry Haynes what a difference 12 months makes. After taking a pearler from Bible Lord in the Topham at the meeting, he was in Fazakerley Hospital being treated for concussion and dehydration, before another concussion nine days later at Wetherby ruled him out for four and a half months.
Haynes said: “To come back a year on and be in this position is unbelievable. Thanks to everyone involved, Mr Jefferson has given me the opportunity to get back in the winner’s enclosure and to be riding Cheltenham and Aintree winners is massive.”
Racing Post – Written by Andrew Riley
Cape Tribulation stays on strongly to deny American Spin at Aintree. (c) John Grossick
12th April 2012
PERTEMPS FINAL winner Cape Tribulation completed a big-festival double for trainer Malcolm Jefferson and Denis O’Regan with success in the Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle.
Travelling well throughout, the eight-year-old came from off the pace to challenge long-time leader American Spin two from home and stayed on stoutly to win by three-quarters of a length.
In a race run at breakneck speed thanks to front-runners Buena Vista and American Spin, few managed to get into the race with all of the market principals well out of the running turning for home.
American Spin appeared set to make all, only for the winner to come from off the pace and outstay his rival up the long straight under a strong ride from Denis O’Regan.
The success marked a great double for trainer and jockey after their recent success in the Pertemps at Cheltenham.
Jefferson, who was tasting Aintree success for the first time in a career spanning over 30 years, said after the race: “Denis [O’Regan, rider] said they went some gallop but he stays well.
“It was some performance, he’s a good horse and he always has been. He’s been in great fettle, he’s been flying at home.”
Racing Post – Written by Lewis Porteous
16th March 2012
ATTAGLANCE made it an unforgettable Cheltenham Festival for Malcolm Jefferson. The trainer added to the win of Cape Tribulation in the Thursday’s Pertemps Final when narrowly landing an exciting renewal of the Martin Pipe Hurdle.
Ridden from just off the pace by Harry Haynes, Attaglance returned at 20-1 and had just two necks to spare over the well-supported Toner D’Oudairies at 7-1 and Oscar Nominee at 10-1. Make A Track completed the places back in fourth.
It was 17 years ago that Jefferson last tasted festival success with Dato Star in the Champion Bumper, but with his horses running out of their skin, Attaglance made it two wins in two days.
The victory was all the more impressive considering Haynes dropped his whip before asking Attaglance for his finishing effort, but he had the most willing partner who wanted the victory every bit as much as his young jockey.
Run at a frantic pace, it was Toner D’Oudairies who was still moving best heading down to the last but he couldn’t quite match the finishing kick of the winner.
In a blanket finish, Oscar Nominee flashed home on the far side for third, while Make A Track looked a little unlucky in fourth, having been squeezed out by both the first and second on the final climb.
A delighted Haynes said: “I can’t believe it. I was down and out but things have really turned around this season. Malcolm has been putting me on some very good horses and I can’t thank him enough. Attaglance wanted it all the way up the straight.”
Jefferson added: “In another 17 years I won’t be here! He’s a lovely horse, tough, genuine, he’s easy to train and he’s one hell of a horse. I’m pleased for Harry and I thought we had a chance today and they delivered.”
Racing Post – Written by Peter Scargill
15th March 2012
CAPE TRIBULATION landed the Pertemps Final under an ultra-cool ride from jockey Denis O’Regan, narrowly holding off Cantlow and Catch Me in a tight finish at 14-1.
Palace Jester and Kayf Aramis kicked on and made the race their own after the first half-circuit but flicking over two out the pair were coming back to the field.
Cantlow, who had been travelling smartly for jockey Dominic Elsworth, took the lead on the run to the last while O’Regan sat steady on Cape Tribulation before launching him level at the final flight.
O’Regan, whose finest moment as a jockey came on this day four years ago when partnering Inglis Drever to win the World Hurdle, exuded confidence on Cape Tribulation and even a last minute Tony McCoy special on Catch Me could not peg back the Malcolm Jefferson-trained winner.
The victory was a big turnaround for O’Regan who was thrown through the wings of a hurdle when his mount refused on Wednesday.
The jockey said: “He’s a great little horse and Malcolm [Jefferson] has done a great job with him. He ran well in third at Haydock last time and it was a great training performance.
“I suppose I haven’t had a winner here for a while and I’m so grateful to have a winner, I’m really pleased.”