Will The Wise strikes for in-form Cromwell
WISE GUYS: Will The Wise and Keith Donoghue en route to winning the BetVictor Graduation Bonus Series Maiden Hurdle. Picture: Healy Racing
Will The Wise gave in-form trainer Gavin Cromwell his sixth winner in three days when opening his account in the BetVictor Graduation Bonus Series Maiden Hurdle in Punchestown.
Ridden more positively than in Limerick last time and in front with more than a mile to race, the Keith Donoghue-ridden gelding stayed on dourly in the closing stages to beat favourite Custom Taylor by a length and a half.
“He was disappointing the last couple of days and we still don’t know why," Cromwell said. "Keith said he was much happier today. He travelled and jumped and stayed going well.
“Hopefully, we’re back on track with him after being so off course with him. I have no immediate plan, although he could end up in something like the Albert Bartlett. He looks like a three-mile chaser in the making.”
Another trainer in red-hot form, Willie Mullins followed up Sunday’s treble with victory for Magic McColgan in the Get Your Punchestown Festival Tickets Today Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Paul Townend dictated the pace on the full-sister to 2021 King George winner Tornado Flyer but, clear between the last two flights, the 11-8 favourite almost stalled at the final flight, jumped badly left and had to be rousted on the run-in to assert and beat Miss Mini Mee.
“She was hanging left all the way and got gradually worse,” explained Townend. “She jammed on at the last and almost turned around, I almost fell off her.
“To be fair to her, she got going again and stayed at it. I don’t know why it happened, but I’ll be looking for some company in future”
But the Mullins-trained 1-2 shot Introversio failed to deliver in the mares' bumper, managing only fourth position (finished lame) behind Forceofmyown, ridden by Harry Swan for Gordon Elliott who said: “She’s not big, but has a big heart. She’s a tough little mare, more of a jumper — to be honest, I didn’t think she’d win a bumper.”
Castleheath, positively ridden by Eoin Walsh, landed the Bet Victor Graduation Bonus Series Maiden Hurdle at the expense of Ephesus and favourite Money Dancer, prompting his trainer Ciarán Murphy to explain: “He’s been showing plenty at home and had a lovely first run (over hurdles) in Cork. He learned plenty and came forward from that. He was slicker in his jumping when he had company.
“We decided to leave Christmas and today was the plan. He’s won on the flat and over hurdles and the plan is to mix it with him.”
Eoghan Finnegan, who is based with Murphy, had an armchair ride on board the Gerry Keane-trained Ragmans Corner in the John Thomas McNamara Series (Amateur) Handicap Hurdle.
The 11-4 joint-favourite came from a strong pace, cruised into the lead approaching the final flight and won, hard held, by 12 lengths.
Keane said: “He’s improving all the time and is only learning how to race — he used to run on his nerves. He’s a grand little horse, going the right way. We’ll mix it with him and might give him a shot at Dundalk.”
Trained by Eamon Delany, the Jordan Gainford-ridden Birmingham Alabama justified 9-4 favouritism in the Festival Hospitality Selling Fast Novice Handicap Hurdle, finding plenty in the closing stages to keep Lehaunstown at bay by a length.
And Bernard Crowley, based in Kilmeaden, County Waterford, saddled Slotty Dotty (11-2) to land the Join The Punchestown Members Club Handicap Hurdle, convincingly, under Phillip Enright.
