The Gradual Slope and Nicole Lockhead Anderson jump the last on their way to winning the Blackrock College AFC Ladies National Handicap Steeplechase at Fairyhouse.
(Image credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Former showjumper Nicole Lockhead Anderson has transferred her high-octane riding skills from coloured poles to the racecourse over the past two seasons. On Saturday she landed the biggest race of her career – and her first winner under Rules – the Blackrock College AFC Ladies National Handicap Chase at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival in Ireland.
“It was great just to be offered a ride in the race, so to win was incredible,” she told H&H.
She began riding in point-to-points for Kent trainer David Phelan, then moved to leading Irish handler Sam Curling’s Tipperary yard where she’s been based since, riding her first Irish point-to-point winner in November, Longhouse Star.
Nicole Lockhead Anderson: “I just crept away and then picked up the pieces”
Now in her second season, she’s racked up eight winners between the flags, also riding in a bumper and an amateur hurdle under Rules, but Saturday’s ladies’ national for amateur riders was her first attempt over fences.
Turning for home in the 2m 5f 17-runner contest, Nicole and the Sean O’Brien-trained The Gradual Slope were making eye-catching progress. Despite veering right over the final three obstacles, the nine-year-old grey gelding produced a thrilling late surge and forged ahead of leaders Caragh Monaghan and Vaureal in the final stride to win by a head.
“It wasn’t until I was coming to the line that I thought I might win it,” she said. “They went very fast early on and he couldn’t really be competitive, so I was further back than I wanted to be, but I just crept away and then picked up the pieces. He dug deep.
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“I didn’t know if I’d got up on the line so hearing I’d won was brilliant. The atmosphere coming back was just class.”
The Mark McDonagh-owned The Gradual Slope hadn’t won for nearly two years, although he finished fourth behind multiple Grade One-winning Gerri Colombe and Grand National-winner Nick Rockett on his previous outing at Down Royal, and the pair were sent off at odds of 16/1.
“He was coming back to form so we thought he’d run well, but he ran a lot better than we imagined!” said Nicole, who was riding the son of Shantou for the first time.
“I’ve had an amazing season – eight winners point-to-pointing and my first win on the track. This is everything I’ve dreamed of and more.”
Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.
