GAVIN Cromwell’s rollercoaster year is back on an upswing and he sent out a double at Galway on Sunday which was initiated by Simply Natural (5/2) who made all to record a first win under rules in the Colm Quinn BMW Mares Maiden Hurdle over two miles.

A second-season novice, Keith Donoghue’s mount scored readily by six lengths from odds-on favourite Light Up The Dark.

“The idea had been to draw the inexperience out of the favourite,” said Cromwell.

“It is great for the (Simply Ridiculous) syndicate, who are a good local group of six and my dentist Conor Irwin heads it.”

Good attitude

Ole Ole (11/4) completed the brace in the Supermac’s Rated Novice Hurdle over two miles, five furlongs.

Held up in the five-runner race, Ole Ole improved to lead at the last and stayed on well to score by a length and three-quarters from Harpy Eagle.

Cromwell reported: “He has plenty of size and scope and has a good attitude. His owner Vasile Ionesi is from Romania, and has been in Ireland for years. He is a builder and this is his first horse with us. ”

TRAMORE trainer John Flavin was another to saddle a double and had luck on his side in the Brasserie On The Corner Handicap Chase over two and a quarter miles.

Here, Prince Palace passed the post seven and a half lengths clear of Flavin’s runner Lanzhou, but the eight-year-old was subsequently disqualified as jockey Ross Sugrue weighed in 1.2lb light.

The latter, who picked up a 14-day suspension, told the stewards that he could not account for the discrepancy, other than that he had used the toilet after weighing out.

Evidence was also heard from Philip Rothwell’s authorised representative who stated that the horse had come back in with everything it had gone out with.

“We were delighted to have finished second on the horse’s first chase run, as he did everything right and would build on it,” said Flavin of his 16/1 winner who was ridden by John Shinnick.

“Half of his owners (the Baragan Partnership) are from Galway and it is their first winner here, so it was lovely to get it.”

Scoring success

Flavin then saw 25/1 chance Always Scoring take the Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate Maiden Hurdle over two and three-quarter miles, coming from well off the pace to defeat Doctor Elvis by a length and three-quarters.

The Mahler gelding, a point-to-point winner for Cian Hughes, gave Keith Donoghue his third winner of the afternoon.

“He has plenty of ability, but I wasn’t sure about today’s heavy ground,” said Flavin.

“I’d say it was a very, very bad maiden hurdle, but he jumped like a stag and Keith said to go chasing with him. We might go for a rated novice hurdle first.”

Fifth career win

Dual-purpose performer Castleheath (3/1) recorded his fifth career success in the Medical Technology Ireland Expo Galway Handicap Hurdle over two miles.

Always prominent under Eoghan Finegan, the Elzaam gelding led after two out to beat Shellrunforbriggs by four and a half lengths.

“I don’t think he ever jumped as well as he did today,” said winning trainer Ciaran Murphy.

“He has the maturity now to go for a nice handicap off a low weight, and there is also a twist off him on the flat too.

“The Slevins (Niall and Cathal) are great supporters of the yard and have really been behind me in the last couple of years.”

UNPLACED in six previous starts, Bluebell Breeze (13/2) proved good enough to beat five rivals in Galway’s Tom Dempsey Flooring 4-Y-O Fillies (Pro/Am) Flat Race over two miles.

Charlotte Butler’s mount led approaching the straight to beat Va La Vie by three lengths.

The daughter of Well Chosen is owned by Fineas Strimbu and Tom Meagher and was a first winner for trainer Adam Leahy.

“I have ridden a few winners, but that has taken a back seat now since selling a good point-to-pointer, Clever Fox, last March,” said Leahy.

“Only for that horse, I wouldn’t have been able to take out my licence.

“I put in a gallop last year and am in Leighlinbridge, and can see Willie Mullins’ gallop from our back window.”

Topping the table

Willie Mullins was amongst the winners when Chart Topper easily got off the mark on his second start over fences in the Gerry Coyne Memorial Irish EBF Beginners Chase over two miles, six furlongs.

The 10/11 favourite, owned by Aisling Byrne, Paul Raleigh and Matthew Cunningham, was prominent throughout and stretched clear on the long run from the last to win by 17 lengths from Will Do.

“He has better form over these long distances and hopefully he’ll be there for the big festivals,” said jockey Brian Hayes who picked up a two-day ban for failing to comply with the starter’s instructions.

The runner-up’s rider Danny Gilligan was banned for three days for the same offence.

Supportive owner

There was a good finish to the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase over two miles, six furlongs as the Eric McNamara-trained Illtakehimmyself (7/2) made the most of his light weight to get up close home and deny Talk In The Park by half a length under Patrick O’Brien.

“The owner John Battersby, from Garretstown in Meath, is a very nice fellow and is from the same parish as Paddy (O’Brien).

“He is a great supporter of Dad and previously sponsored me when riding,” said Conor McNamara who was representing his father.