GAVIN Cromwell exceeded his best ever Irish jumps total when Toto Too and Clear The Clouds gave him a double at Naas on Thursday.

The Meath trainer is now on 63 winners for the season, one better than his 2019/’20 tally, while also breaking the ¤1million barrier for the first time.

Recent recruit Toto Too kicked off his double with victory in the Treo Eile Rated Novice Hurdle.

Previously in the care of Peter Fahey, the Basil Holian-owned seven-year-old was settled in mid-division on the outer by Keith Donoghue, taking closer order on the approach to the straight.

Despite a mistake two out, the Ocovango bay came with his challenge when switched to the inner before the last, quickening smartly to lead on the run-in before going on to prevail by two-lengths.

“I wasn’t really sure what to expect with the ground. I didn’t know whether he’d cope with that ground, but it isn’t too bad and he got through it well,” Cromwell reflected.

Clear The Clouds (17/2) completed Cromwell’s brace, as he overcame a troubled passage in the Thanks To All Our Sponsors In The National Hunt Season Handicap Hurdle.

Hampered at the fifth, the Conor Stone-Walsh ridden six-year-old made headway from three out but soon met with some trouble in running.

Ridden behind the leaders and switched to the inner on the approach to the final flight, he hit the front inside the final furlong and kept on best from there to beat Early Arrival (33/1) and Kieran Callaghan by half a length.

Callaghan was later found guilty of using his whip with excessive frequency and as it was his third offence, he was suspended for eight days.

GORGEOUS Tom and Forty Coats gave rise to hopes of brighter days ahead, as they provided Henry de Bromhead with a first and last race double.

The Darragh O’Keeffe-ridden former deservedly made the breakthrough in the opening Book Your Summer Season BBQ Packages At Naas Racecourse Maiden Hurdle.

Second on his two most recent starts, the Champs Elysees six-year-old was sent off a well-supported 11/10 favourite (from 9/4 early) in the colours of Envirogreen Housing Services Ltd.

Poised to challenge in third on the approach to the straight, the former Garrett Ahern-trained bay joined Special Cadeau at the last and ultimately outstayed that rival on the run-in, with a length and three quarters between them at the line.

“He deserved that, he had a lot of good runs,” de Bromhead commented. “He’ll definitely go to Punchestown and could maybe go for a handicap, but we’ll see nearer the time.”

Another point-to-point recruit completed the de Bromhead double, with Forty Coats impressing in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

Successful in a point-to-point at Ballinaboola in February when in the care of Andrew Latta, the Diamond Boy five-year-old was widely expected to follow-up and went off the 11/10 favourite in the colours of Chris Jones.

Ridden by his son Andrew, the bay gelding raced mainly in fourth, taking closer order on the approach to the straight.

Switched to the inner to challenge from the two-furlong pole, he was soon sent to the front and kept on well in the closing stages, coming home four lengths to the good.

“That was great, he’s a lovely horse. Robbie Power recommended him,” de Bromhead revealed.

“I’m delighted for the Jones’s. I’ve known Andrew for years and that’s his second winner for us. He gave him a super ride.”

PAUL Townend moved to within four wins of Jack Kennedy (112 – 116) in the race to be crowned champion jockey, after he partnered the well-backed Got Glory (4/7 favourite from 7/2 early) to victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.

In the Gold Cup winning colours of Audrey Turley, the Willie Mullins-trained French import raced mainly in second and was far from fluent four out.

On her first start in almost a year, the Great Pretender six-year-old jumped to the front at the penultimate obstacle and stretched clear on the run-in, coming home five and a half lengths to the good.

“She was fresh and gassy and wanted to get on with it. She took a blow and galloped away nicely again,” Townend said of the bay victor who was successful on the level in France.

“She’s had a lot of problems but does smart work and hopefully we can keep her right.”

Townend had to settle for fourth aboard Coillte Aris in the Owners Insurance Included In AIRO Membership Handicap Hurdle, with this 25-runner affair going the way of Ernie From Nurney.

Third over fences at Thurles recently, the Padraig Roche-trained seven-year-old was sent off a 15/2 chance under Peter Smithers. Given a patient ride, the Tribal Lily Syndicate-owned bay made progress on the outer from the third last and was one of many in contention on the approach to the final flight.

Soon ridden into a narrow lead, he ultimately stayed on best in the closing stages and had two and a half lengths to spare at the line.

“He’s a massive, big horse, 17 hands, and I’d say he’s just maturing. He’s starting to put a couple of runs together now,” Roche said of the Dylan Thomas gelding. “A great bunch of lads own him and I’m delighted for them.”

Trouncing

Another son of Dylan Thomas claimed the Buy The Centenary Of Naas Racecourse Book By Turtle Bunbury Handicap Hurdle, with Oneforgonzo trouncing his 22 rivals.

Well-supported from 33s to 14/1, the Sean Aherne-trained bay was given a patient ride by Sean O’Keeffe.

Making steady progress from five out, the lightly-raced six-year-old blundered at the penultimate obstacle but got to the front at the final flight and powered clear from there, scoring by 13 lengths in the colours of Eoin Barry.

“He’s very big, immature and weak. I was surprised the way he did it to be honest,” Aherne disclosed. “All the horses were very much out of form for a long time. In fairness, the man who owns him gave me a lot of help to get him right and I appreciate that a lot.”