Gavin Cromwell has already ensured that this is going to be his best season numerically as stable stalwart Vanillier highlighted a double at Punchestown on Monday.

Fresh from a trio of strikes at the star-studded Dublin Racing Festival, the former farrier registered his 72nd and 73rd winners of the season, surpassing his previous best of 72 set during the last campaign.

Just 11 years ago, Cromwell trained a solitary winner over jumps and his rise has been nothing short of remarkable.

In that time, there has been a Champion Hurdle success with the ill-fated Espoir D’Allen, two Stayers’ Hurdles for Flooring Porter and a Royal Ascot win with Snellen.

Vanillier (9/4 favourite) himself won the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival in 2021 but he had not got his head in front since the Florida Pearl Novice Chase that same year.

He had subsequently finished second in a Grand National to Corach Rambler but was in danger of losing his way until brought to life by the Banks course in the Ladbrokes P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase.

“It’s great to see Vanillier 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 today,” said Cromwell of the Keith Donoghue-ridden winner.

“He’s entered in the National and we have the option of the Cross Country in Cheltenham, but I don’t know exactly where we’re going to go. I’m delighted that he’s back motoring again and he enjoyed it.

“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.”

One bookmaker cut him to 8/1 from 20s for the Cheltenham cross-country chase and 33/1 from 50s for the Grand National.

Just 30 minutes later, promising rider Conor Stone-Walsh partnered 9/4 favourite Theonewedreamof to success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Handicap Chase.

“That’s winner number 73, so it’s my best ever season; we had 72 last year,” said Cromwell.

“Theonewedreamof disappointed the last day, and she can be a bit in-and-out, but that’s her. When she’s on a going day, she’s not too bad.

“Conor was good on her and she got a good tow into the race. A small field probably helps 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.”

Carrying on his recent form, Willie Mullins had a treble, with Ethical Diamond (8/11 favourite) and Argento Boy (4/7 favourite) justifying short odds, while Sir Gerhard won the Up The Yard Challenge Race under a confident Aimee Morrissey.