IT was a “good day at the office” for Gavin Cromwell at Bellewstown on Wednesday as he notched a treble on the Hill of Crockafotha.
Malina Girl was his most impressive winner on the card when taking the Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle in effortless fashion.
The 8/15 favourite did give her backers a scare at the second last, however, when she ran around approaching the flight.
Darragh O’Keeffe soon had her straightened up again and the daughter of Malinas went on to post a 14-length success on her jumping debut, for the Wash Yer Hands Syndicate from Co Louth.
“We put cheekpieces on her because she didn’t travel that well in her bumpers but she got bumped around on one of the bends and it got her a bit lit up,” said Cromwell. “She jumped well and will learn plenty from today.”
Gutsy success
Coulonces had got the ball rolling for the yard in the opening Whiteriver Wood Flooring Claiming Hurdle with a gutsy success over the two-and-a-half-mile trip.
The French-bred mare was delivered by Conor McNamara to lead at the last and got the better of Emir De Rots in the closing stages to record a three-quarter-length win.
“She was a little bit of a doubtful stayer coming in here but he rode her to stay and she stuck at it well,” said the winning trainer. “I predict that she will be claimed and best of luck to the next man with her.”
The 3/1 winner was indeed subsequently claimed by Paul Gilligan for €7,000.
It was also a tight finish in the Donacarney Village Square Handicap Hurdle as Broken Ice gave Cromwell a treble and Conor McNamara a brace.
The 4/1 shot got up close home to deny Yulong Voice by a head and Cromwell said:
“I’m delighted for his owner, Sonny Acham. He’s in his nineties and lives in Trinidad, he gets a great buzz out of it and I’m sure he’ll be thrilled. The horse was due one, to be fair to him.”
Lingo proves very tough Lady
THERE was another cracking finish in the John H Kierans Memorial Mares Hurdle over two miles, two and a half furlongs, with Lady Lingo proving a very tough cookie.
Joe Hennessy’s charge made the running for Richie Deegan and the 4/1 shot pulled out all the stops late on to hold the finish of Ally Cay by a short head.
“She’s very tough. Hopefully she’ll be okay in the morning as she was a bit jarred up the last day,” said Hennessy.
The race was won last year by subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Tellmesomethinggirl.
Deegan went on to record a double on the evening card when teaming up with the Dick Donohoe-trained Vischio in the second division of the John Purfield Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
The 11/4 favourite got a better leap than his rival Heliers Bay at the final flight and went on to post a two-and-three-quarter-length win in the colours of John Kennedy.
“I was worried for a little bit turning in as there was plenty of traffic in front of us but I pulled out as I wanted to be out there for a bit of nice ground too.
“She won well in the end,” said the winning rider.
THE consistent Act Of God defied top-weight to take the day’s feature contest, the Bective Stud Mullacurry Cup Handicap Hurdle.
The Edward O’Grady-trained gelding travelled smoothly to lead at the second last, in the two-and-a-half-mile contest, and kept on well in the closing stages to record a length-and-a-half win over Clifftop.
Winning rider Paul Townend reported of his winner: “The drop in trip and the easier track probably suited him. He was a bit sticky early on but we went a good gallop. Edward thought he’d be there or thereabouts and he was spot on.”
Double for Bowe
Colin Bowe secure a double on the card with two cosy winners. The 6/1 shot Zamond took the first division of the John Purfield Memorial Handicap Hurdle in fine style to open his account.
Jordan Gainford recorded his 20th winner of the season when sending the gelding on at the third last flight for a seven-and-a-half-length win in the extended two-mile contest.
Gainford, wearing the colours of John Brennan, said: “On good ground today and stepping back from two-and-a-half it worked out really well.
“Colin’s horses are in great form and he did it well. He got there easily and put it to bed nicely. It’ll be interesting to see what route he takes next.”
The 28/1 shot Carcaci Castle completed the brace for the Wexford handler when left to come home an easy winner of a dramatic Avison Young Ladies Flat Race.
Aslukwoodhavit went to post 11/10 favourite for the bumper but was under pressure and just headed by the eventual winner two furlongs out when Jody Townend belatedly spotted the running rail guiding the runners on to the hurdles track.
Her mount jinked and unseated Townend after she tried to avoid the rail at the last moment. Thankfully she was none the worse for the spill.
Toni Quail was left to guide Carcaci Castle to an easy 15-length success and she said: “It was all very simple. I don’t know what happened Jody but I think I had it in the bag.
“He was on and off the bridle but that’s kind of the way he is, he’s the same at home. That’s my second track winner and I’ve ridden one point-to-point winner as well.”