Gavin Sheehan: step up in trip can help my Eider ride
By Gavin Sheehan
Last Updated: Sat 22 Feb 2025
Michael O’Sullivan will be sorely missed
There’s nothing I can say that hasn’t already been said, but I would just like to send my sincere thoughts to Michael O’Sullivan’s family at this time.
He will be sorely missed. Not just as a jockey but as a person above all, as you will have seen from what everyone has said or written about him since his death last weekend.
Michael's funeral this week really hits home how dangerous the sport is, which we do day in day out.
The atmosphere in the weighing room has been difficult at times, as it’s so close to home. It puts into perspective the dangers of this game.
Winners make up for disappointing day at Haydock
Last Saturday I had quite a poor day at Haydock with two well-fancied horses disappointing, but I picked up a couple of winners this week at Southwell and Ludlow to make up for it.
It’s been a quiet week outside of that, and I’m looking forward to the weather improving so I can get back on the golf course.
High hopes in the Eider
I head up to Newcastle for their feature race today, which is in front of the ITV cameras and forms part of the David Power Jockeys’ Cup.
The Eider Chase is a race that stands out on the calendar and has a long history. It’s exciting to be involved, especially when there are points to be gained.
I’m sixth place in the Jockeys’ Cup table, and I think that compares to my school reports: “Gavin could do better!”.
I ride Passing Well (2.10) for Jamie Snowden and he ran a massive race at Lingfield last time, when stepping up to over three and a half miles and being beaten a head.
Hopefully, he can reproduce that kind of effort and going up even further in trip may just suit him.
The favourite, O’Connell, will be tough to beat, but Passing Well is in great form at home and the stats suggest he is improving every time he moves up in distance.
So, hopefully, he can help improve my school report and get me some more points!
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