GAVIN Cromwell and Keith Donoghue stole the show at Bellewstown on Wednesday with a sparkling treble that paid just over 275/1 at the Co Meath track.

It didn’t take long for the ball to start rolling their way as they teamed up with Routine Excellence (11/2) in the opening Dave Harvey Memorial Claiming Hurdle.

This son of Getaway tracked the leaders and improved to lead before the last. Donoghue sent him about his business on the run-in to win by a length and three-quarters for owner E Hughes.

Cromwell said: “We’ve had a bit of fun with him, but maybe there is more to be had. In fairness, he has been running well of late and it is good to get his head back in front.”

I Am Spider Man was claimed by Rachel O’Neill to be trained by Shark Hanlon, while Boom Boom Boom was claimed by Shauna Kelly to be trained by Noel Kelly. Brianna Lily also found a new home as she was claimed by Yvonne Hennessy to be trained by James Barcoe.

Debut

Millforce (15/2) successfully gave weight away on his racecourse debut in the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle over an extended two and a half miles.

The Workforce gelding disputed the lead three out and led narrowly at the last before staying on best by two and a quarter lengths in the hands of Donoghue who sported the silks of the Orphan Girl Syndicate.

“He’s probably a chaser in the making. As we kind of expected, he was a little bit novicey at some of his hurdles. A sharp track around here, tight enough for him. He did get that good jump at the last, “ Cromwell said.

Seal the deal

Due Course (4/1) sealed the Cromwell/Donoghue treble in Division 2 of the John Purfield Memorial Handicap Hurdle over the extended two miles, one furlong.

After the six-year-old gelding took over two out, he asserted on the run to the last and kept up the gallop to come home by two and three-quarter lengths at 4/1 for owners Mark Murray and Grant Harrison.

Cromwell said: “I don’t think he will be going three miles (on the track), maybe two and a half. I’d say we could potentially go chasing with him sooner rather than later.”

BARRY Lyndon (8/1) took the Bective Stud Tea Rooms and Apartments Mullacurry Cup Handicap Hurdle by four lengths for trainer Dermot McLoughlin and owner Mrs Fidelma Toole.

The six-year-old gelding had cheekpieces fitted for the first time and was on good terms with himself as he took over on the approach to the penultimate flight.

J.J. Slevin asked him to assert in the closing stages which he readily did.

McLoughlin said: “We just said to put the cheekpieces on him maybe just to put a bit of confidence in him and sharpen him up a bit. J.J. said he was a different horse there and stayed galloping.”

Roaring home

Gordon Elliott’s Leading Lion tasted victory for the first time in the Reddans Of Bettystown Handicap Hurdle. He took over at the third-last flight and asserted before the next which was the winning of the race as none of the opposition could land a blow on the run-in.

After the 11/1 shot swept home by four and a half lengths, jockey Jack Kennedy said: “He jumped great and I picked it up plenty soon on him, I couldn’t hold on to him any longer really. He stuck at it well.”

Leading Lion is owned by Mrs Geraldine Clohessy and Fergus Galvin whose parents - Noreen and Nicholas Galvin - were in attendance celebrating their 61st wedding anniversary.

ROYAL Hollow made most for a facile victory in the Panda (Mares) Hurdle over an extended two miles, one furlong.

She was three lengths clear for Cian Quirke at halfway and put her rivals to the sword after the penultimate flight as she cruised in by eight and a half lengths at 5/2 for owner Mrs Margaret O’Rourke.

Trainer Andy Slattery said: “She has pace and she is actually in a flat race in Gowran next week, but I think there is a listed hurdle in Gowran coming up and then maybe the mares’ novice at Down Royal. We might keep going that way and see where we end up.”

Authoritative

Henry de Bromhead’s Chutzpal added to his easy success on the flat at Killarney in July with an authoritative display in division one of the John Purfield Memorial Handicap Hurdle.

Rachael Blackmore’s mount disputed the lead early and led after the second obstacle. He was powerful at the business end as he slammed the field by 12 lengths to justify 11/10 favouritism for Pimlico Racing Ireland and Robert Dooly.

Stable representative Robbie Power said: “His first run over hurdles for us. Delighted with the way he jumped, he had been schooling nicely at home but he was really attacking his hurdles today.”

Dylan Kidd, rider of fifth-placed Highland King, picked up a three-day suspension for frequency with the whip.

Gamble landed

Locked Box bought off a significant gamble in the Jim and Niall MacMahon Memorial (Ladies Pro/Am) Flat Race. From as big as 22/1 in the morning, his price tumbled down to 9/2.

He forged on nicely inside the final furlong to beat runner-up Diamond Tipp by a length and a quarter for trainer Cormac Farrell and owner Douglas Taylor.

Jockey Georgie Benson said: “They set a good gallop and I was happy enough to sit with them and he (Farrell) said that he would just keep going for me. So when I kicked, and they came to me, I knew he would find a lot more.”

Diamond Tipp’s rider, Aine O’Connor, picked up a four-day ban for frequency with the whip while Moira McElligott, was given two days on fourth-placed Barton Snow, for contravening the frequency rules.