Five in a row for Final Orders as Cromwell lands big handicap double

It was a Saturday to remember for Gavin Cromwell at the Dublin Racing Festival as the in-form handler landed the two valuable handicaps on the card, highlighted by the performance of the prolific Final Orders in the Paddy Power Cheltenham Fanzone Handicap Chase.

The gelded son of Camelot was completing a five-timer, which began in a 2m7f beginners' chase at Killarney in October and has covered trips from 2m1f to 3m.

This was a dour staying performance under Keith Donoghue as he drew clear from the final fence to beat 28-1 shot Barnacullia by four lengths, with another half-length back to topweight A Wave Of The Sea, gallant in his attempt to win this contest for the third year in a row.

Cromwell said: "He just has massive scope. These are big fences around here, he just loves it and is thriving on it. He is now up to 140 over fences and is just 102 over hurdles, and it has just been a massive transformation. We had schooled him over fences and he jumped great, but he really came alive when we started running him and he has just kept going."

He added: "We gave him an entry in the Arkle in case he went and won this, so we'll have to seriously consider it now. We went there last year with Gabynako, and it is the sort of race that you will be brought into if you jump very well."

Successful return

The consistent Perceval Legallois was the first leg of the Cromwell double in the Grade B Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle, picking a good day to get his head back in front and giving rider Mark Walsh a high-profile winner on his first day back from injury.

Cromwell commented: "He ran well here at Christmas and he travelled really sweetly today. It was a good performance and my horses have just taken a huge step forward recently. They didn't go a great gallop and he had the run of the race but he quickened up well and did everything well.

"He is qualified for the Pertemps and after today he will probably get in, we will have a chat about it."

Cheltenham Dream

The John Kiely-trained A Dream To Share remained unbeaten despite having been off the track since June, landing the Grade 2 bumper under John Gleeson for his parents Brian and Claire.

Giving upwards of 3lb to his rivals, he proved too good for the Willie Mullins-trained Fact To File as the pair pulled clear of the remainder. Having been on duty for RTE TV during the day, Brian Gleeson was an emotional and very happy man.

He said: "It's a tremendous feeling. John Kiely is not only our friend and neighbour but he's been John's mentor. I watched it with Claire and it was special. We bred the horse and we bred the jockey! We named the horse A Dream To Share. The first chapter of the dream was to win this race, the second chapter is Cheltenham in March."

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