GAVIN Cromwell saddled a double on the opening day of the new National Hunt season at Down Royal on Monday. Tell Us This (15/2) had to survive a stewards’ inquiry in the Club Lemon Handicap Hurdle over an extended two miles.

He was involved in a battle with Benjis Benefit and edged right hampering his rival in the final 50 yards. Aidan Kelly stopped riding on Benjis Benefit as his mount ran short of room while Tell Us This went on by a length and three-quarters for the Longevity Racing Club.

Winning-jockey Conor Stone-Walsh was handed a nine-day suspension for riding improperly.

Cromwell said: “He was probably in front plenty soon enough and was quite green when he got there. The last couple of days he faded very quick, he never picked up at all the last day in Naas. I suppose the first time on better ground.”

Sedate pace

Born Braver took the step up in trip to three miles at Down Royal in his stride when he landed the Pepsi Max Hurdle for Mrs J.P. Duffy. The 8/11 favourite faced three runners and disputed at a sedate pace with Gold In The Rivers. Kieren Buckley sent him into the lead two out, which he wasn’t fully fluent at, but he stayed on well to post a four-length success from Gold In The Rivers.

Cromwell said: “It was a very messy race and they went pretty steady early and it turned into a sprint.

“He is ground and trip versatile.You probably could go back to two and a half miles, but I think he will stay three miles very well. I think he will make into a nice chaser at some stage.”

HENRY de Bromhead’s Le Coq Hardi returned from almost six months off to land the Ballygowan Opportunity Maiden Hurdle. The 5/2 favourite disputed the lead two out, but was left in sole charge when his rival Old Port made a mistake and fell. Mike O’Connor sent him about his business and the pair sailed in by five and a half lengths for M Stafford and Dan Kiely. Stable representative Robbie Power said: “He was still very green in the run. Mikey gave him a lovely ride, got a good run up the inside.

“There’s plenty to look forward to, we will look for a winners’ of one somewhere and see where we go from there.”

Magic Tricks, who reached a mark of 145 over hurdles, made a successful transition to fences in the Club Orange Beginners Chase for J.P. McManus. Gordon Elliott’s charge made his move into contention after three out and stayed on well for Jody McGarvey to grab the honours in the final 100 yards.

After the 9/4 favourite came in by a length and a quarter, assistant trainer Lisa O’Neill said: “He’s very clever (over a fence), he’s probably not the biggest of horses but he was very quick and nimble where he had to be. Those fences take a bit of jumping sometimes, so you’d have to be taken with the way he has adapted to it.”

Great tune

McManus saw his colours also carried to victory on Goodnightngodbless in the Club Mixers Handicap Chase over an extended three miles two furlongs. The 10/1 shot had plenty to do at the penultimate fence, but stayed on for Charlie O’Dwyer racing to the last. The pair kept up their progress to hit the front in the final 100 yards and scored by a length.

Trainer James Motherway said: “This is what she wants (better ground), this is why we came five hours up the road today. She often runs well fresh and she just wants a trip.

“Charlie, in fairness to him, knows this mare like the back of his hand. He gets a great tune out of her. Brilliant to get one on the board for J.P., he’s a great supporter and it is fantastic that he has kept her with us so long.”

AFTER five point-to-point victories in a row, Ballyphilip continued his winning spree in the C&C White Maiden Hunters Chase. Noel McParlan sent him after the leaders four out and the duo disputed at the next before leading two out. They made the best way home to prevail by two and a quarter lengths at 9/2.

Trainer Caroline McCaldin said: “He’ll go to the field now, he has done enough now. He’s some boy! I didn’t want to run him today because it was a short turnaround from Saturday (in Necarne). We have been having a good time in point-to-points - nothing has changed, maybe a better calibre of horse. Long may it last!” The winner scored in the colours of the trainer’s husband, Alan McCaldin.

Jack Sutton, rider of seventh-placed Cousin Zeleznik, was given a five-day suspension for whip offences. Stuart Crawford unleashed a smart-looking newcomer in Marlacoo in the Energise (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race. Alex Harvey, partnering his first winner since joining the conditional ranks, drove him into the lead in the final furlong and the 14/1 shot stretched away by six lengths for W.R. Crawford.

Trainer Crawford said: “This horse did a very good bit of work last week with Yeshil (runner-up in the Goffs Defender Bumper at Punchestown).

“They probably really quickened it up from a long way out but, saying that, the second horse (Polepatrick) has been up there the whole way. We have a couple of those Wings of Eagles and we liked them, so it is good that he went out and got the job done.”