GAVIN Cromwell landed the Randox Ulster National Handicap Chase for the second year in-a-row and Malina Girl put the seal on a treble on the day for the trainer.

Having won last year’s renewal with Spades Are Trumps, it was Malina Girl who stepped up for this €50,000 showpiece at the northern venue.

Keith Donoghue had the 13/2 shot tracking the leaders in this extended three-and-a-half mile stamina test and she moved ominously well in second before the penultimate fence.

She disputed the lead over that fence with My Design and took over with a furlong to race. The six-year-old mare stayed on well up the hill to draw three and three-quarter lengths clear.

Cromwell said: “The owners (Jackie and Colin Russell) have literally just bought her last week. They haven’t had horses with me before, they have horses with Jonjo O’Neill.

“I was happy enough that the step up in trip wouldn’t be a problem to her. The fences are not that big around here, it is a summer track.

“We won this last year and we were happy to keep the big trophy for a year on the mantelpiece. The kids were giving out that they wanted to keep it, so we will have it back!”

Ella well able

Cromwell and Donoghue also took the honours with Law Ella in the Cosy Roof Maiden Hurdle. She also tracked the leaders before making her move at the final flight.

The Yeats mare was less than fluent there, but that didn’t prevent her picking up the lead inside the final furlong. The 11/10 favourite soon went on by a comfortable four and a-half lengths for owner T.P. Ward.

The trainer said: “When she was second in the Grade 2 (mares’) bumper in Aintree last year, I didn’t think she would still be a maiden a year later. That’s Irish racing, it just shows you what you are up against all the time.

“She could be a candidate for Punchestown.”

Sean Flanagan did the steering for Cromwell on Soldaro in the Toals Bookmakers Mares Handicap Hurdle.

The 5/4 favourite was sent to the front at the second-last flight and had the race in the bag once she popped the last.

After she came in by two and a-half lengths for owner N.E. Hall, Cromwell said: “She’s a nice mare and I always liked her as a young horse. She is a half-sister to Jeremys Flame and it has just taken her a while to get the hang of things.

“Hopefully, she can continue on an upward curve. I might try and find something again before the end of the jumps season. She absolutely loves that soft ground, so we will see.”

This supplemented a victory in Clonmel last month.

CARA McGoldrick came in for her first winner on the track aboard Shantou Show in the Boardsmill Sires Maiden Hunters Steeplechase.

The 13/2 shot was adrift in the early stages, but took closer order at the half-way stage. He made headway before three out and travelled well to challenge before the next. He took over before the final fence and powered 13 lengths clear.

Owner/trainer Sean McParlan said: “That’s unreal, that is Cara’s first winner on the track and she has three point-to-point winners. We couldn’t get a jockey to ride him yesterday with the point-to-points all on today.

“He must be class, that’s only his third run. We thought he was a right horse (before his point-to-point victory at Kirkistown), we got him off Paddy Turley. Paddy always thought he was a right horse.”

Career total

Winding River, 16/5 favourite, doubled his career total in the Billie And Bertie FitzGerald Handicap Hurdle over an extended two miles five furlongs.

The six-year-old gelding made good progress for Richie Condon to take over after the penultimate hurdle and kept on best to score by a length and a quarter for Oliver McKiernan and the owner, Keep The Faith Bloodstock Limited.

Condon said: “Off that lower mark over hurdles, he was entitled to do that.

“I was in the box seat throughout and the horse in front of me (Wee Jerry) was jumping a bit left, so I had it in my head to try and nip up the inner after the second-last.”