GAVIN Cromwell dominated the card at Fairyhouse on Saturday, when saddling four winners and The King Of Prs (11/2) led home a 1-2-3 for his yard, when landing the featured SBK Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase.
Damien Dillon’s seven-year-old was never far from the pace and made headway on the inner for Conor Stone-Walsh to lead approaching the last.
He kept on well to beat Path D’oroux by two and three-quarter lengths with Midnight It Is finishing best of all back in third, meaning Cromwell’s trio scooped the bulk of the 100,000 euro prize fund.
“It’s brilliant to win it, and brilliant to have the second and third as well,” said Cromwell.
“I suppose they could all end up running in the Grand Annual. The King Of Prs was a very cheap purchase as a store and has kept improving. He has plenty of size and scope and there is no reason that he won’t keep improving.
“Conor is great value for the claim and that was a big help. It’s nearly like a free 5lb.”
Making waves
Cromwell had been on the mark earlier with Sixandahalf (2/1), who caused ripples in Cheltenham ante-post markets, when making an impressive start over flights in the SBK Mares Maiden Hurdle.
The daughter of Snow Sky, owned by the Best of the Rest Syndicate, had already shown a high level of form in bumpers and on the flat and recorded her fourth career win in fine style.
Keith Donoghue’s mount travelled well to head the front-running Qualimita approaching the penultimate flight and soon took control to beat that rival by an easy 12 lengths.
“She jumped really well and you couldn’t ask for better,” said the winning trainer.
“She’s not very big, but she has an engine, a great attitude and jumps well. Hopefully, she’ll end up going to the mares’ novice at Cheltenham (best price 8/1 after this victory) and she can go back on the flat during the summer, she’s very versatile.”
Noble victory
Noble Birth (11/4 favourite) was winner number three for Cromwell, and a second for Keith Donoghue, in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase.
The Nathaniel gelding, successful previously for Gordon Elliott and Eric McNamara, only joined the Danestown handler in the past few months and made most of the running to beat Banjaxed by four and a quarter lengths
Cromwell said of the In Bounds Syndicate-owned eight-year-old: “He jumped great and stayed going well. We’ll make a plan after he’s reassessed and maybe the novice handicap chase in Navan could be a target.”
DE Temps En Temps (5/2) completed the four-timer under Declan Lavery in the SBK (Pro/Am) Flat Race.
The Court Cave gelding, who runs in the trainer’s own colours, was ridden along in sixth early in the straight, but found plenty to burst between horses inside the final furlong and ultimately won quite convincingly by two and a quarter lengths from Parnell Street.
Cromwell reflected: “I thought turning in ‘what’s after going wrong here, I thought he was much better than that’ but once he got going, he flew.
“It might make sense to go for another bumper, as I think he’ll make into a nice novice for next year. It’s been a brilliant day. I’m not sure if I had an across-the-card four-timer before, but that’s definitely my first at one meeting.”
J.J. Slevin cemented his new retainer with owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, when giving Mistergif (7/2) a well-judged ride to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, a race in which Willie Mullins sent out the first four home.
The winner, fifth in last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and making his chase debut, still had plenty to do in fourth early in the straight, before making ground after two out.
Tullyhill led approaching the last, but was quite deliberate at that final obstacle, while Mistergif met it on a perfect stride. The Zarak gelding was soon in front and quickened up well to beat Tullyhill by a length and three-quarters.
Slevin, partnering his first winner for Mullins, said: “He jumped well bar the third-last and that was probably my fault. Other than that, he was very good and settled well. He has a bit of class.”
KING Alexander, successful four times for Nicky Henderson, had initiated a double for Mullins when appreciating the step up to three miles in the SBK Handicap Hurdle.
The 15/8 favourite jumped to the front two out and stayed on well to beat Fortunedefortunata by two and a half lengths.
“I’d say he enjoyed that (yielding to soft) ground at that trip,” said winning rider Paul Townend.
“I’m sure the handicapper will make life a bit harder for him, but hopefully he’ll be a nice fun horse.”
King Alexander was following a similar path to Strutter, also owned by John Neocleous and formerly trained by Henderson, who scored on his first start for Mullins at Limerick’s Christmas meeting.
Making all
Bacchanalian landed odds of 4/5, when making all the running in the Racing TV Club Day At Fairyhouse Hurdle.
The Siyouni gelding, placed in a Curragh maiden for Joseph O’Brien, was confirming the promise of a couple of hurdle outings since joining Declan Queally.
The Shane Wilson-owned winner asserted after the penultimate flight and, despite a mistake at the last, kept on strongly under Sean O’Keeffe to score by four and a quarter lengths from Makaiah.
“I was happy to let him relax and not to wind him up early, to get him popping and work from there. He had a nice jump at the second-last, when I wanted him and kind of put the race to bed.”