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Reports13 January 2025

'I'd hope he's capable of stepping up in grade' - Will The Wise back on track for red-hot Cromwell

Will The Wise (Keith Donoghue) land the 2m6f maiden hurdle at  Punchestown.
Photo: Patrick McCann/Racing Post
13.01.2025
Will The Wise and Keith Donoghue clear the last on their way to victory in the 2m6f maiden hurdle at PunchestownCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Gavin Cromwell made it six winners in three days as the previously disappointing Will The Wise came right back to form to land the 2m6f maiden hurdle under Keith Donoghue.

The six-year-old had won a bumper on his debut at the festival meeting here in May, but has struggled in three runs over hurdles. The step up in trip and perhaps the return to Punchestown were key to this victory, as he readily held off the challenge of the persistent Custom Taylor by a length and a half. 

Cromwell said: "He had been disappointing. We couldn't figure out why and we still don't know. He was good out there though, he travelled and jumped and Keith was happy with him everywhere in the race. 

"He ran in a Grade 2 at Navan in December, and we did not think we'd be looking to win a maiden with him in the middle of January, but hopefully we're back on track."

"I don't know where we go with him, but I would hope he is capable of stepping up in grade."

Corner kicks on

Gerry Keane saddled his first winner of 2025 when Fairyhouse runner-up Ragmans Corner ran out the wide-margin winner of the qualified riders' handicap hurdle under Eoghan Finegan.

The race fell apart somewhat when the clear early leader came right back to the field and it could be that the winning margin of 12 lengths flattered Ragmans Corner, but he is going the right way.

Keane said: "He's a grand, little horse and is improving all the time – he's really only learning how to race now. 

"He'll probably mix it with the Flat. He ran above himself in a Galway maiden in July and got himself too high a rating. I might give him a shot at Dundalk, but I hope he can go to the next level over hurdles.

"He might jump a fence down the road, and I think the owners will have a good bit of fun with him."

Forceonmyown and Harry Swan win the mares' bumper at Punchestown
Forceonmyown and Harry Swan win the mares' bumper at PunchestownCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Elliott carves out winner

Everybody seems to be on a skiing holiday at the moment, and Gordon Elliott returned from his to saddle Forceonmyown to land the concluding 2m½f mares' bumper. 

The six-year-old stepped up on her second at Limerick to score decisively under Harry Swan, and Elliott said: "We had her for only a few weeks before she ran at Limerick. She will be a nice mare to go jumping with as despite not being very big, she has a lot of heart."

Asked how the skiing went, he said: "It was hard to start with and I was nearly coming home after day one, but once I got going I was all right. I didn't take too many chances, but still took a couple of tumbles. I enjoyed it, though, it was something different."


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