Stumptown makes no mistake in Cross Country

The favourite obliged in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase as (5-2F) continued his affinity with this unique race and idiosyncratic circuit to make it three from three this season.The eight-year-old was never too far away but his eased-down success looked more unlikely than not at several stages during the final five furlongs and he was nudged along by rider Keith Donoghue to keep tabs on pace-setters Escaria Ten, and before the sixth-last obstacle.Yet as the pace in front appreciably slowed on the run to the final fence, Stumptown travelled menacingly in-behind and was kept up to his work to score by seven lengths from Latenightpass (11-1), with the fast-finishing (15-2) also hitting the frame for Gavin Cromwell. After several seconds at this year’s Festival, Cromwell opened his account here for a seventh success at the fixture overall while Donoghue registered his sixth winner – and fifth in this particular race in the last seven years.

“I’m delighted," the winning trainer told Racing TV's Tom Stanley.“I thought we were in a little bit of bother for a while there, he just wasn’t travelling the way he usually can.“It’s unbelievable to think [he can win that] off a mark of 157 - I never thought he’d win a race off that, but he’s just so much better at this.”

After two seconds and a third on day one of the meeting – including Only By Night, who he thought was “home and hosed” in the Arkle – Cromwell admitted to his “relief” at getting on the scoreboard at this year’s Festival. “We’re coming here with loads of good chances but that doesn’t guarantee you anything,” said the trainer.  More to follow