Gavin Cromwell
Gavin Cromwell’s William Hill blog: Kilbeggan finale & Navan Flat preview
William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell previews his chances in the William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series finale at Kilbeggan, as well kicking off his Flat turf season across Cork and Navan.
Kilbeggan, Friday
We have runners in three of the five William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series races at Kilbeggan on Friday, with Coup D’Essay in the first division of the 2m3f handicap hurdle (17:23). He ran a nice race the last day and my only concern would be whether he’s running back too soon. He’s up to running well but he’s still very babyish.
Laska De Breuil is the first of the reserves so hopefully he might get a run. If he does, I think he’s certainly up to running well.
Both of these should benefit from both the better ground and the fact they’re now in handicap company, which looks more like their own grade. They could both be competitive.
We then have Embrace The Day in the second division. He’s a big horse and I’m slightly concerned that it might be a bit sharp for him around here. He will appreciate the better ground and could run well.
After that, Dameauscottlestown goes in the William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Beginners Chase (18:59). She wasn’t at her best the last day and I can’t make my mind up whether the trip was too short for her or if she just didn’t like the ground, but we’re stepping her back up here.
This looks a good enough race, but she does jump really well and I’d say she’s a good each-way chance. She’ll have to put in a career best to win.
Cork, Friday
Another to watch on Friday is Brownstown, who will start her season at Cork (17:40). She was a promising two-year-old and we really like her – she’s a lovely filly.
She’s ready to start off and although I think she’ll improve for the run, I still expect her to go well here. Joseph O’Brien has The Publican’s Son in here, who’s rated a good bit higher than her, so she’s a bit to find there, but she’s definitely up to running very well.
We’ll take things step by step but we’d love to get a bit of black-type with her this season and I’m hopeful that she’ll achieve that.
Navan, Saturday
We also have a good few runners on the Flat at Navan on Saturday, starting off with Barrow Boy in the six-furlong two-year-old maiden (13:55). He’s a half-brother to Snellen and he’s a really nice horse.
He’s ready to start off here but there’s lots of scope for improvement. He might not win on his first start, but he’s a nice horse who’ll hopefully come good.
Then there’s a nice 1m2f Group 3 for three-year-old fillies in which we run Camino Vino. She had a break after she won her maiden in Dundalk. She’s always been a quite a big filly and she’s grown even more on her break – she’s done well. I really like her and she’s ready to get going here. She will come on for the run, but I think she’s up to running well and nicking a bit of black-type in this.
The aim for the season will be to pick up some black-type and see where we go from there. She’s got lots of size and scope, so I’m hoping she’ll rise through the ranks as the season goes on.
Glen Echo is having his first run in the 1m2f maiden (16:15) and we’re looking forward to getting him out. We also have Mergus Serrator in there who ran a nice enough race at Leopardstown last year before going on a break. He’s just ready to start off his season here.
Then we have Tofino in the 1m2f handicap (16:50). She ran some good races and had a nice win at the Curragh last season. We’re hoping she can have another good year in handicaps.
We finish off the day with 10-year-old Arcland in the 1m5f handicap (17:25). He’s the first reserve at the moment but we’ll keep our fingers crossed for a run and hopefully a positive start to his season.
