GAVIN Cromwell set a new personal best of 73 winners in an Irish jumps season when completing a double with Vanillier and Theonewedreamof on Monday.

Vanillier bridged a gap of over three years without a win with an emphatic victory under Keith Donoghue in the Ladbrokes P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase.

The 10-year-old grey gelding, runner-up to Corach Rambler in the 2023 Randox Grand National, could be heading back to Aintree again via the Cheltenham Festival after taking command from two out to beat Coko Beach by an easy 18 lengths.

“It’s great to see him back winning again as I thought he’d lost his way a bit. Just recently for whatever reason he’s really sharpened up and blinkers were a help,” said Cromwell who trains the well-backed 9/4 favourite for Paul and Helen Keaveney.

“He’s entered in the National and we have the option of the Cross Country in Cheltenham. He’s on a mark that he might not get into the National, but this run today might help. The fact that he’s in form and has Aintree form too he (the handicapper) might give him a little bit more.”

Paddy Power halved his price into 10/1 for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Favourite

Theonewedreamof also went off a well supported 9/4 favourite for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Handicap Chase and the Golfcrest Syndicate were out in force to enjoy her heading the trail-blazing Sainte Dona approaching the last and keeping on under Conor Stone-Walsh to beat that rival by a length and a half.

Cromwell said: “She disappointed the last day, and she can be a bit in and out but that’s her. Conor was good on her and she got a good tow into the race. A small field probably helps her as well as when she gets crowded, she can be inclined to back out a bit. She had loads of room there today and a good gallop to aim at.”

TIERNAN Power Roche has made a big impression this season and the 5lb claimer moved onto the 20-winner mark for the current campaign when partnering a 66/1 double aboard Drusilla and Duffys Hodey.

Drusilla belied a major market drift (9/2-14/1) in the Ladbrokes ‘Get Rewarded’ With Ladbucks’ Maiden Hurdle, finishing strongly on the run-in to peg back Johnny Blue to a length and three-quarters winning margin.

“She’s a really honest filly and I think the only two hurdles she jumped were the last two when the pressure was on her,” said Cian Collins who trains her for the Del Boy Partnership. “Probably further might suit her as well.”

Tinahely trainer Philip Rothwell was full of praise for Power Roche after Duffys Hodey came from off the pace to take the two miles, three and a half furlongs, Ladbrokes Play ‘1-2-Free’ On Football Novice Handicap Hurdle.

Balko D’ange held a slight advantage when making a bad mistake at the last and the Fairwood Racing Syndicate-owned 7/2 shot was soon on top to score by seven lengths.

“We decided to drop him in and I think they got racing too early which really suited us and Tiernan gave him a cool ride,” said Rothwell.

Lucky surprise

Fermoy owner/trainer Michael ‘Tricksy’ Barry confessed to being ‘a bit surprised’ after Lucky Viv asserted early in the straight under John Shinnick to beat Betty Dutton by two lengths in the Ladbrokes ‘Gaffer Of All Accas’ Mares Handicap Hurdle.

“I didn’t think the ground would suit her at all, so I was a bit surprised. I thought it might be too tacky for her, but she seemed to stay the trip well,” the trainer said

“She ran in a few point-to-points, and we might go over fences with her,” Barry added of the 14/1 winner.

Diamond recovering his sparkle

PAUL Townend and Willie Mullins followed on from a highly successful Dublin Racing Festival by teaming up for a short-priced double with Ethical Diamond and Argento Boy.

Ethical Diamond, purchased for 320,000gns by H O S Syndicate after winning a mile and a half Limerick maiden, finally opened his account for current connections when making all and taking control from before the last to beat Kainsbourg by 10 lengths in the Ladbrokes ‘Big Value You Can Bet On’ Maiden Hurdle. Mullins was represented by David Casey who said of the 8/11 winner: “It looked an ideal opportunity. He got a freebee in front and jumped well. Paul said he’s learning the whole time, jumping-wise, and better ground would help.”

Galopin Des Champs’ owner Audrey Turley was on hand to see her yellow and brown colours again carried to success by Argento Boy in the Ladbrokes ‘Best Odds Guaranteed On Racing’ Maiden Hurdle over two miles, seven and a half furlongs, stretching clear from before the last to beat Flemensface by 15 lengths with Paddy Power cutting his odds into 20/1 (from 33/1) for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

“We don’t know why he disappointed at Christmas but obviously a reproduction of his run here would have done.

“Paul said he felt much better through the race today, and the further he was going the better he was getting,” said Casey before adding: “He lacks a bit of concentration over his hurdles, and he should make a nice three-mile chaser next year.”

Up The Yard Challenge

Willie Mullins also took the Up The Yard Challenge Race for stable staff with Sir Gerhard who drew clear from the furlong pole in the hands of Aimee Morrissey to score by four lengths. “Aimee has been in the yard a good few years and she looks after Majborough and Impaire Et Passe. Her grandfather Ned had plenty of good horses like Castlekellyleader with Paddy over the years,” said Casey.