THE Covid-19-enforced suspension of the season has accelerated the decision of one of the most promising young riders in point-to-pointing to join the professional ranks.

Twenty-year-old Jordan Gainford has made a considerable impact within the riding ranks in a very short time since his debut in December 2018. Only three riders this season, Barry O’Neill, Rob James and John Barry, have had more rides than the Wexford native as his talents have been spotted by a wider pool of handlers across the country. However, he has now begun the process of changing his licence.

“I was thinking strongly about it for the end of the point-to-point season. I had a chat to Colin (Bowe) and Barry (O’Neill) before Christmas about turning in June, but when the lockdown came I didn’t really want to be hanging around waiting any longer,” said Gainford.

“I had another chat with the them and said that this could go on a bit longer should I just turn now, and they said absolutely you have the experience and to give it a go.

Benefit

“The lads have been very good, they said the move was for my own benefit and weren’t holding me back at all. I am after having a great time down there, anything that I have learned is from them. I started off with Shay Slevin and that gave me the base, but Barry, Colin and Rob (James) have just been unreal.”

While Bowe has proven to be a key supporter of his, trainers such as David Christie and Warren Ewing in particular have shown great faith in him in recent seasons.

“Warren has been unreal. I was going up to him as much as I could and he has given me every opportunity on four- and five-year-olds, anything that he had really he supported me with. David Christie was another big one who supported me,” added the current joint-leader of the Under-21 riders’ leaderboard.

“Barry and Rob were a big help getting me those connections. When they are by your side the whole time you can’t go wrong. You are looking at the best every day and they are trying their best for you too.”

Don’t be surprised to see Gainford replicate his swift rise through the ranks in his potential new career within the professional ranks as he switches from one powerhouse stable to another by joining the Gordon Elliott team, following the recommendation of Bowe.

“For the last two or three weeks I have been going into Gordon’s one day a week at the minute but I am planning on going three days a week when I get the licence. Hopefully I should have that in the next two or three weeks.

“I am still going to be with Colin three days a week until the summer and then when the point-to-point season is over I will go to Gordon’s full time.”

Elliott has already begun to support Gainford by putting him on the former Paddy Power Chase winner Roaring Bull in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park.