Gavin Cromwell
Gavin Cromwell’s William Hill blog: Pardubice & American Grand National Hurdle preview
William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell previews his two international runners over the next week, with Stumptown taking on the Velka Pardubicka and Ballysax Hank heading to the United States for the American Grand National Hurdle Stakes.
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Pardubice, Sunday 12th October
We have our first ever runner in the Velka Pardubicka (2:30pm), with Stumptown running in the race this weekend. He left Ireland on Monday morning and arrived in Pardubice on Wednesday evening after stopping off in Cologne. It’s a long journey but he’s travelled well and seems in good order.
The 4m2½f isn’t going to be a problem for him, but the jumps there are a unique test. You need a bit of luck in-running in a race like this and you’re relying on the horses around you. Hopefully everything goes well for him.
This race has always been the plan since he finished up after the Grand National last season. We got him back in with enough time to get him prepared and all has gone well so far. We know he’s very good at cross-country racing and although this is a bit different from what he’s used to, we’re hopeful he’ll cope well with it.
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Far Hills, Saturday 18th October
I’ve had a couple of Breeders’ Cup runners but never a jumper in the States. This year we’re running Ballysax Hank in the Grand National Hurdle Stakes at Far Hills.
I’ve always kept an eye on horses going out there and it’s a race that Gordon Elliott has targeted before and Shark Hanlon won it with Hewick a couple of years ago. We’ve kept a note of what type of horse would be suited to it and we think it could be a good race for Ballysax Hank.
He won the Summer Plate, had a break, then came back and won again on the Flat, which was nice. He’s had a good preparation for it and although he has a bit to find on ratings with Gordon’s couple, I think he should run well.
It can be hard to find a horse that fits the profile of these American National Hunt races and you need to have owners on board who are willing to take the chance, because it’s expensive to go there. Then you need the right horse for it.
I’m really looking forward to the race this year and hopefully we have a good experience which makes us want to go back.
