Fling lands a punt to give Cromwell first course winner

Cheltenham wasn't the only place Irish eyes were smiling as Highland Fling landed a punt when giving Navan-based trainer Gavin Cromwell his first course success by winning the 2m1f handicap hurdle.

Although the five-year-old had won on the Flat he had failed to finish in the first three in any of his five previous starts over hurdles. Even though he was up against two in-form rivals in Raise A Spark and Dark And Dangerous, he was backed into 11-4 from 7-1 in the morning market and was sent off 3-1 second favourite.

He was a third winner in Britain for 5lb claimer James Kane, who said: "He's been a bit disappointing and we didn't really work him out until after his last run. He's a bit of a monkey and between the last two he put his head up."