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Cromwell plots path with Stumptown after surprise win

By Racing TV

Last Updated: Mon 26 Oct 2026

Stumptown puts in another fluent leap on his way to victory (Healy Racing)

Gavin Cromwell is targeting a return to the Cheltenham Festival with Stumptown after he made a winning comeback in the W.B. Gavin & Co. Handicap Hurdle at Galway.

The nine-year-old had been off the track since finishing fourth to stablemate Final Orders in the Cross Country at Prestbury Park in March and was tackling hurdles for the first time since April 2022.

The 7-1 chance made all and when pressed two out he found more for Keith Donoghue and galloped away to win by seven lengths.

Having won the Velka Pardubicka in 2025 he missed the race this year, allowing Final Orders to step into his shoes.

Cromwell said: “He is a legend but I didn’t expect that to be honest as he was off for a long time, so I didn’t really know. Keith gave him a lovely ride and got a fill into him.

“A new rule which was brought in last year allowed the handicapper to put him up from his original mark (of 116, back in April 2022) to 127, but he could have put him up higher, to be fair. I really didn’t know what to expect today.

“It is great to have him back and this is a bonus before going for a banks race in Punchestown in early December. Cheltenham is his target again in March, although he is unlikely to go back for the English Grand National.”

Stumptown’s win completed a double for Cromwell after If You Believe (11-4) had earlier won the Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction & Median Maiden Hurdle.

Cromwell also had news of his 2025 Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin with a potential run before the turn of the year on the cards.

He added: “Inothewayurthinkin is training well, we are happy with him but after that, I’m not sure where we start back.

“He came back in with the rest of the winter horses and fingers crossed he has had a clean run so far. It is early days but he is doing everything right at the moment. There were a few different things going on with him last season but I think we’re getting a clear run at the moment.

“He could run before Christmas, although I’m not sure about running him in the John Durkan this year, as he was taken off his feet in it in the last two years.”

Willie Mullins unveiled another potential smart hurdler as Sharkeyboy impressed on debut over timber with a ready success in the QuinnBet 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.

The Zarak gelding was winless in six attempts on the Flat but it was a different matter over hurdles as the three-year-old, running the same colours of Mullins’ two-time Champion Hurdle winner Hurricane Fly, pulled away in the hands of Paul Townend to justify 8-13 favouritism to win by nine lengths.

Townend said: “It is 18 years since I first rode in these colours, winning on my first ride in a Grade One on Hurricane Fly, who did an awful lot for me and my career.

“This horse probably won’t get to Hurricane Fly’s levels but had run well on the Flat here at the summer festival and I think jumping will improve him.

“He had schooled brilliantly at home but it was a messy race and he had a look at the first hurdle. Once I got a lead, he jumped away well and I was then able to go where I wanted.”

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