Fehily keen to further Burke relationship this winter

Noel Fehily could have an exciting pair of novice chasers to look forward to this winter in Baron Noir and Hurricane Pat, with Jonathan Burke the man who could get to enjoy their progress in the saddle.

Burke is no stranger to sporting the silks of the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates, winning at the Cheltenham Festival aboard Love Envoi in 2022 and also returning to the winner’s enclosure in the colours with Ryan’s Rocket at Aintree during the Grand National Festival earlier this year.

And having parted ways with former boss Fergal O’Brien at the end of last season to go freelance, Fehily hopes to reap the rewards of his added availability.

“We’ve always used Johnny when we could and obviously when he was tied up with Fergal O’Brien we couldn’t get him as much as we wanted him,” explained Fehily.

“He’s a very good rider and has been very lucky for us. He’s ridden plenty for us over the years, he’s ridden us a Cheltenham Festival winner and obviously rode us an Aintree Festival winner with Ryan’s Rocket.

“He’s ridden plenty for us over the years and has plenty of experience on the big days as well

“We’ll continue to use Johnny when we can and he’ll obviously be available more so we will definitely be using him whenever we can get our hands on him – hopefully that will be plenty.”

Both the Alan King-trained Baron Noir and Gary and Josh Moore’s Hurricane Pat made their mark over hurdles last term, with the former finishing his season with fine performances in elite company when fourth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and then third at Aintree.

Hurricane Pat, meanwhile, scooped Listed honours at Sandown in December and served a reminder of his potential when a wide-margin winner at Chepstow in his final outing of the campaign.

Fehily said: “The season looks a long way off at the moment, but hopefully the rain will come soon.

“We’ve got some nice horses, but Baron Noir and Hurricane Pat obviously had good seasons last season and I think both will go novice chasing – certainly Baron Noir anyway and although I haven’t had the chat yet with Gary and Josh I think they were thinking fences for Hurricane Pat as well.

“They could be exciting novice chasers. I think they both look like chasers and have plenty of size and scope. Hopefully they will improve a little bit for a fence.”