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What We Learned

A jockey worth his claim, a 33-1 Gold Cup contender and a Cromwell stunner

Three key takeaways from this week's big-race action

Gold Cup entries reveal a 33-1 ante-post play

There are just five British-trained horses among 19 entries for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning the shortest-priced domestic challenger at 25-1.

Skelton is plotting a route back to Cheltenham for last year’s Turners Novices’ Chase winner, who was pulled up in the King George at Kempton last time.

That effort is forgivable as Grey Dawning was on the back foot following a serious first-fence mistake, but his overall profile looks a long way short of Gold Cup standard.

Harry Skelton riding Grey Dawning en route to winning Turners Novices' Chase from Ginny's Destiny at Cheltenham
Grey Dawning: winner of last season's Turners Novices' ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The Turners remains his sole Grade 1 win, and only one of the first six home that day has won a race since, with third-placed Djelo landing the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last month.

Conversely, the form of the National Hunt Chase won by Corbetts Cross at the same meeting has been boosted this season, with runner-up Embassy Gardens winning the New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore and third-home Mr Vango claiming the London National at Sandown.

Corbetts Cross, who never got involved on ground that would have been too quick when sixth in the King George, was 17 lengths clear of Embassy Gardens at Cheltenham and his odds of 33-1 for the Gold Cup make plenty of appeal.  
Joe Eccles

Cromwell team going from strength to strength

There have been fewer successful British raids for Gavin Cromwell recently – he had an overall strike-rate of 23 per cent in Britain last season, with notable successes at Cheltenham in the first half of the campaign – but that hardly matters when domestically he is faring better than ever.

With the best part of four months of the season left, Cromwell’s 59 winners is only 13 shy of his best total, set last term, with prize-money in line to eclipse his previous best of €1.3 million probably by the end of this month.

The most exciting of his fabulous four winners at Fairyhouse on Saturday was undoubtedly Sixandahalf, who is now 7-1 for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. 

Sixandahalf: could have a big future
Sixandahalf: could have a big futureCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Rated 94 on the Flat, she had some good horses, including Galway Hurdle winner Nurburgring, behind her when a cracking third in the Irish Cesarewitch and looks a fine addition to Cromwell’s jumps team. 

Given that was her hurdles debut, Cromwell could not have asked for much more in the jumping department and, when Keith Donoghue gave her a shake of the reins after the second-last, she quickened away instantly.

Willie Mullins has yet to really play his hand in this division, but he may need to have something extra special to rival Sixandahalf at Cheltenham.
Sam Hendry

Stone-Walsh great value for his 5lb claim

Speaking of Cromwell, saddling the 1-2-3 in the Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase was a remarkable feat, and convincing winner The King Of Prs and placed horses Path D’Oroux and Midnight It Is would all have solid claims in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival.

The KIng Of Prs was helped by a textbook ride from teenage jockey Conor Stone-Walsh, who looks excellent value for his 5lb claim. It is a promising sign that most of his rides this season have come for Cromwell, Paul Nolan and Colm Murphy, who do not seem the type to suffer fools gladly.

The King Of Prs leads home a 1-2-3 for Gavin Cromwell in the feature handicap chase at Fairyhouse
The King Of Prs and Conor Stone-Walsh winning the Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase at FairyhouseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Stone-Walsh did a good job settling The King Of Prs early and had a dream run round the inside to win his second major handicap in the space of two weeks for Cromwell, having also guided 20-1 Al Gasparo to victory in an even more valuable contest at Leopardstown at the end of December.

Keep an eye on this in form up-and-coming rider because that 5b claim will be reduced sooner rather than later and his main supporters will be eager to use it to best advantage.
Sam Hendry


David Power Jockeys’ Cup standings (ITV races)

Harry Skelton 178 points
Sam Twiston-Davies 166
Nico de Boinville 154
Harry Cobden 148
Sean Bowen
134

British jump jockeys’ ­championship

Sean Bowen 118 wins
Harry Skelton 109
Sam Twiston-Davies 78
Harry Cobden 65
Gavin Sheehan 65

British jumps trainers’ ­championship

Dan Skelton £1,777,712
Paul Nicholls £1,246,246
Nicky Henderson £972,110
Olly Murphy £893,334
Nigel Twiston-Davies £866,620

Irish jump ­jockeys’ ­championship

Paul Townend 63 wins
Darragh O’Keeffe 50
Sam Ewing 50
Keith Donoghue 46
Danny Mullins 35

Irish jumps trainers’ ­championship 

Gordon Elliott €2,606,180
Willie Mullins €2,328.025
Gavin Cromwell €1,295,845
Henry de Bromhead €1,122,555
Joseph O’Brien €775,975


The Last Word:

Stevens Review: Supreme favourite Salvator Mundi is sure to divide opinion as he continues Closutton's superb start to 2025 

Racing Post Ratings: Expect more to come from impressive Handstands - but this winner was even better and can put it up to Ballyburn 

Ante-Post Angles: Recent Willie Mullins winners look short enough for Cheltenham but this 8-1 shot makes plenty of appeal 


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Digital journalist
Digital journalist

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