Jenkins fifth

Press, 14 April 1984, Page 21

Jenkins fifth

NZPA staff correspondent London The New Zealand jockey, Stephen Jenkins, finished fifth in the inaugural World Championship for National Hunt jockeys at Cheltenham after being harshly treated by the draw. Jenkins drew three outsiders in the four races, three handicap hurdles and a handicap chase, and did well to record a second and a fourth. The championship was won by John Francome, of England. Aside from home advantages, he also profited from drawing two strong favourites on, which he recorded a win and a second. Second in the event, which attracted the champion riders of 12 countries, was Philippe Caus, of Belgium. Jenkins’s best effort came in the Handicap Chase when his mount Royal Mere, a 7 to 1 favourite, finished second after being headed only at the final fence. Three of the jockeys suffered minor injuries from falls in that race — Russia’s Husek Kasaev (concussion), Morten Reinert, of Norway, displaced collarbone, and France’s Michel Chirol (injured neck). The final result was; Francome (G. 8. 17 points, Caus (Belgium) 14, Giannantonio Colleo (Italy) 13, Shinobu Hoshino (Japan) 10, Jenkins (N.Z.) 9, Frank Berry (Ireland) 7, Andreas Wohler (West Germany) 6, Ricky Hendriks (U.S.A.), 4, Chirol (France) 2, Nick Harnett (Australia) 0, Kasaev (U.S.S.R.), 0, Reinert (Norway) 0.