KEITH Donoghue became the winning-most jockey of the Glenfarclas Cross County Chase when steering the Gavin Cromwell-trained favourite Stumptown to victory, beating the record of four he previously shared with Nina Carberry.

Stumptown defied topweight in fine style, as he strode seven lengths clear of the Tom Ellis-trained Latenightpass. The winner’s stablemate Vanillier, who almost took the wrong course under Sean Flanagan, finished well to take third.

“I’m riding for the right people, for Gordon before and Gavin now,” Donoghue said after crossing the line. “When you’re riding this calibre of horse, it makes it easier.

“I was only ever hanging in there. He didn’t jump as well as he could. The ground is probably a bit soft for him. But he stays well and I knew going to the last, I could feel him getting going and that he was never going to be beat.

“He really likes these fences. I was glad we put the cheekpieces on him today.”

Gavin Cromwell had had mixed feelings about his winner, saying: “I was very concerned for a while to be honest, but he has ended up running out a good winner in the end. I don’t think Keith thought he was at his best either, but listen we will take it anyway.

“I don’t have an explanation (why he didn’t travel) as well today, but we got away with it and he won. The cheekpieces just helped him at the finish, but he has thrived over these fences. He is in the Grand National and we will aim him at it, but it is coming soon enough. All being well he will go there.”

On the winning rider, Cromwell continued: “Keith is definitely worth a few pounds around here. He is an ultra-professional and there is no stone unturned with him.

Stumptown was making it three from three this season, and recording his seventh career success. The Furze Bush Syndicate-owned eight-year-old previously came within a neck of Cheltenham Festival glory, when narrowly denied in the 2023 Kim Muir.