Gavin Cromwell’s William Hill blog: Vanillier could skip Cheltenham in favour of Grand National

William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell’s reviews a successful weekend at the Dublin Racing Festival, and lays out Cheltenham and Aintree plans for a selection of stable stars.

Dublin Racing Festival review

We had a brilliant weekend at the Dublin Racing Festival and winning a Grade One was certainly the highlight. I think it’s definitely harder to win Grade Ones in Ireland than it is in England at the moment. Willie Mullins has four or five runners in almost all of them, all of which would have chances, so it’s definitely difficult.

That said, unfortunately due to a slight setback Backtonormal will miss the rest of the season. We hope to have him back in full health for the start of next season. He was very straightforward and everything went to plan, the step up in trip really suited him and it was fantastic to win such a big pot. It’s really unfortunate that he’s picked up this injury so we’ll just try to enjoy the weekend’s win.

Hello Neighbour landed the Grade One and we were very happy with him. He was still a bit keen and didn’t jump absolutely perfectly, but he raced much better than he did the first day. If he can keep improving from that then hopefully he’ll be in the mix for the Triumph. It’s going to be a competitive  race because the two British horses at the top of the market look very smart – they’re going to take a lot of beating.

Bet on Hello Neighbour for the Triumph Hurdle with our Non Runner Money Back markets

Our second winner on the Saturday was Perceval Legallois who made good use of his mark over hurdles. It certainly wasn’t a bad prep for the Grand National but he’ll be running off a very high mark there. He jumps well and looks like a horse that could be suited to Aintree though, so hopefully he could run well there.

Inothewayurthinkin ran a good race in the Irish Gold Cup. He’s improving all the time, as is his jumping. He just missed the fourth last fence out Saturday which put him back a few places, but he stayed on well in the finish.

I really don’t know what his likeliest target is for this season at the moment. He’s got an entry in the Grand National and I’d say he could also have an entry in the Irish National and the Aintree Bowl as well. Supplementing him for this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup is not something that’s been discussed so I’d say it’s unlikely he’ll go there. It’s a conversation we’ll have to have with Frank Berry and JP McManus and we’ll make a plan.

Bet on Inothewayurthinkin for the Grand National with the official betting partner

My Mate Mozzie ran a good race to finish second on Saturday on his first run of the season. He’s got loads of experience, including at Cheltenham, so we’ll probably go to the Grand Annual with him. His run on Saturday was typical of him, weakening in the final furlong as he does in most of his races. It was a good run nonetheless and a strongly-run Grand Annual on good ground would suit him.

Bet on My Mate Mozzie for the Grand Annual Handicap Chase with our Non Runner Money Back markets

Vanillier could skip Cheltenham in favour of Grand National

I was delighted to see Vanillier winning at Punchestown on Monday. Putting the blinkers on probably helped to spark him up a little and it was a good performance. I know he’s 10 but he seems to have found a new lease of life.

It opens up the possibility of the Cross Country at Cheltenham, but the only thing with that is it’s very close to the Grand National and we’d love to go back to Aintree with him. That’s open for discussion with the owners, and we don’t have to decide on that just yet.

Bet on Vanillier for the Grand National with the official betting partner

Only By Night heading to Exeter ahead of Mares’ Chase bid

Only By Night is likely to go to Exeter for the Mares’ Novices’ Chase there on Sunday (2.00pm). That’s with a view to her running in the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham, she’s unlikely to run in the Arkle with that being a hot division at the moment.

Bet on Only By Night for the Arkle Trophy or Mares’ Chase with our Non Runner Money Back Markets