Lucky Slevin is flying flag for Irish crop
JJ Slevin could have a terrific Thursday.
If he does, it can help strike another blow for Ireland’s generation of underrated jockeys.
Joseph O’Brien’s stable pilot is among the group from across the water trying to follow in some big bootprints.
When the likes of Slevin and Danny Mullins started out, icons such as Ruby Walsh, Tony McCoy and Barry Geraghty were the top operators.
Such was their ability, it left a near-impossible task for the next batch to try to emulate their heroics.
Slevin has heard the critics say he and his colleagues are not at the same level.
But his talent has been displayed often enough and he reckons one day those cynics may not be quite so harsh when making evaluations.
He said: “I’m 30 now, there’s Danny and loads of lads in the same sort of age group as me.
“It’s been said that jump jockeys don’t really get going until their 30s, so hopefully we have a few good years ahead.
“You hear a lot of people saying there’s a poor crop out there but maybe, in 10 years’ time, people will look back and say some of those lads didn’t do too bad.
“There’s a great bunch of lads in the weighing room in Ireland at the moment.
“I’ll sit with the likes of Danny, Paul Townend,
Luke Dempsey. They are a great bunch. I enjoy being with those boys and also the lads in the UK.”
Slevin’s talent as well as graft brings deserved rewards and he’s getting the big opportunities he deserves with O’Brien.
He steered the trainer’s Band Of Outlaws home in the 2019 Fred Winter and said: “Joseph has been very good to me all along.
“You just hope to get a clean run at it and have a bit of luck.”
Last year’s Martin Pipe winner Banbridge is back for Thursday’s Turners before Home by the Lee starts as a huge player in the Stayers’ Hurdle.
Slevin said: “He is a good, hardy horse and has improved a lot this year.
“He has got to heights I never thought he would get to.
“Mentally, he has improved a lot this year and has really found his feet this season.”
Slevin has already proved he’s not daunted by a big occasion.
He added: “You just go out there and do your best.
“You weigh up every option and that’s all you can do with each race.
“I think I do appreciate every winner because it took me a little while to get going.
“I was an amateur for seven years and it took a little while.
“I had a few point-topoint winners but it was three or four years before I got a winner under rules, so I appreciate everything I think.
“I try to ride as much as I can, no matter where the meeting is, because I enjoy riding.”
O’Brien believes in Home By The Lee.
He said: “Stamina is really his forte and he’s shown that this season.
“He ran quite well in the race last year and obviously looks an improved horse this year.”
On Banbridge, the trainer added: “He’s a course winner over hurdles and fences.
“We know he can perform there, which is a big help.”