Gavin Cromwell
Gavin Cromwell’s William Hill blog: Inothewayurthinkin may not make Cheltenham
William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell reacts to the Dublin Racing Festival and offers a preview of this weekend’s racing, as well as Cheltenham Festival pointers.
Dublin Racing Festival Reaction
Inothewayurthinkin is fine after the Irish Gold Cup and he’s back riding out now. He was unfortunate to fall at the last after getting tired, but thankfully he was just a bit winded after it and has come out of it fine. I actually thought he’d run an okay race to that point. It was a big improvement from Christmas, it was just a pity to see him fall.
The reality of it is that he’s now seen as an outside chance for the Gold Cup and he’ll have to take a huge step forward to be competitive there. It is still up in the air as to whether he even goes. Unless we’re very happy with him when the time comes, he won’t be going to the Gold Cup.
I was happy with North Shore’s run in the Grade 1 juvenile hurdle. He jumped well and, although he didn’t get any closer to Narciso Has, I thought he ran a very good race. He’s come out of the race well and we’ll take our chance in the Triumph.
Hello Neighbour ran well enough and his jumping was good, but he just travelled a bit strongly on that ground. The aim with him is still the William Hill County Hurdle and if he gets nicer ground there, he could certainly be competitive.
Only By Night didn’t end up running at the Dublin Racing Festival. Her bloods weren’t 100%, so we opted to swerve the weekend. I’m sure she’ll be fine and the plan is to head straight to Cheltenham for the Mares’ Chase.
Naas, Saturday
We have a few runners on Cheltenham Trials Day at Naas, starting off with Coole Cafe in the bumper (15:25). She was very keen the last day and was probably ridden too close to the pace. She was just too keen on heavy ground. She has a hood on here and we should be able to drop her out in such a small field. She’s in good form and should run well.
We have a couple in the Listed mares chase (16:00). Bioluminescence drops back in trip here after she just didn’t stay in the William Hill Half A Mill Becher at Aintree. She’s well back in trip here but she’ll love the testing ground. She’s got 17lbs to find with Dinoblue which won’t be easy and you’d imagine the only way she could beat her is if Dinoblue doesn’t perform. We’ll see how she goes here as to whether she makes the Mares Chase, but she’ll certainly have an entry.
Je T’ai Porte goes here as well and has a lot to find on ratings. She’s a very strong traveller. We’ll try and follow the leading players around and see if we can pick up some black type.
Sunday, Navan
We also have a few runners at Navan including Cosmo Renfro in the 2m6f handicap hurdle (15:20). He ran well the last day and has been in good form. He’s not 100% confirmed to go here as he has some other options, but if he does, I’d be hoping he can run well again.
Evies Vladimir will go in the William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap Chase (16:20) over three miles. He has an entry in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown next Sunday, but he’s unlikely to get into that. He’s in good form heading into this Sunday, conditions will suit and hopefully he’ll be competitive.
Lastly, we run Begorra Man in the William Hill-sponsored Bumper (16:50). He’s been off the track for a year after finishing second in a bumper, but he’s fit enough. He’s a horse I really like and I’m hoping he can go close here.
