Grade One glory for Cromwell at Aintree
Meath trainer hoping for some luck with Limerick Lace in Grand National
Anything Gordon Elliott could do, Gavin Cromwell could do just as well at Aintree.
Almost 24 hours after Gerri Colombe won the Grade One Aintree Bowl for the Summerhill man, Cromwell tasted Grade 1 success at the Aintree Grand National Festival when Inothewayurthinkin won the Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Chase on Friday.
Cromwell ’s six-year-old made a mockery of his rating when storming to an emphatic victory in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last month and having again been ridden with real patience by Mark Walsh he stormed home to land his first Grade One success.
With Broadway Boy and Chianti Classico putting on an exhibition of jumping on the front end, Walsh was able to bide his time on the 6-4 favourite before finishing with a real flourish to lead home a JP McManus-owned one-two, with Iroko back in second.
“His jumping definitely left a bit to be desired, but he clearly has a big engine. He looked to have done plenty wrong, but still won. Clearly he stays well, so we’re delighted with the result," said Cromwell.
“I’d say that’s it for this season. He’s up into big boy company next year and we’ll see how that goes, but he’s going to have to improve his jumping. He’s a Grade One winner so it’s the obvious thing to do (run in top staying chases next season).”
Inothewayurthinkin is a full-brother to stablemate and fellow Cheltenham Festival winner Limerick Lace, will bid for glory in the Randox Grand National today.
“She’s good, I’m happy with her and she’s come out of Cheltenham well,” said Cromwell of Limerick Lace.
“Obviously there’s a lot more stamina involved (for the Grand National), but it’s encouraging her full-brother has just won (over three miles and a furlong) and she jumps well, so fingers crossed.”
As it was on Thursday, Cromwell's win was the only Meath winner on the card at Aintree, but for Gordon Elliott it was a case of so near, yet so far as two of his stable stars, Conflated and the Bective Stud owned Firefox ran great races to finish second.
In the Grade One Novices' Hurdle Firefox under Jack Kennedy chased the leaders throughout and was well poised three out before going on to lead. However, he was headed before the last and despite staying on finish a half a length behind Willie Mullins's 11/10 favourite Mystical Power.
Conflated ran a superb race in the Melling Chase and so nearly caused a major upset before losing out by a length and a quarter to 11/10 favourite Jonbon for Nicky Henderson and owner JP McManus.
Despite the defeat Elliott was clearly delighted with the performance of his 12/1 runner-up.
"I’m delighted with the run, but gutted he didn’t win. The horse gave it everything but we’ve no excuses, he was beaten by a better horse on the day. It’s always disappointing when you are second but when they do nothing wrong you have to be happy," admitted the Summerhill man.
“I think he’s probably run a career-best to be honest, he’s a great horse. The winner wasn’t at Cheltenham so was a fresh horse and I’m delighted for Nicky because he’s a great man.”
What's Up Darling also put up a brave battle in the Willian Hill Handicap Hurdle for Elliott, but faded on the run in and had to settle for place money in fourth behind the Dan Skelton-trained co-favourite Kateira. Elliott's other mount in the race, Tronador fell three lout in his last outing for the Cullentra House trainer.
Elliott's Embittered was 11th in the Topham Handicap Chase, while Elliott's Croke Park was pulled up in the Sefton Novices´ Hurdle.
In the concluding Alder Hey Handicap Hurdle for Conditional Jockeys´ And Amateur Riders´ Elliott's Ted Hastings didn't follow his line of duty and was ninth under Danny Gilligan.