'He's tough and hardy' - The King Of Prs leads home a 1-2-3 for Gavin Cromwell in Fairyhouse Grade 3

Normally one of the most competitive handicaps of the year, the 2025 running of the SBK Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase was dominated by Gavin Cromwell, whose three runners filled the first three places.

Heading the trio was the consistent The King Of Prs under Conor Stone-Walsh. He had gone close in a similar handicap over course and distance in November before a narrow defeat in a 2m1f handicap at Leopardstown a couple of weeks ago. 

Striking while the iron was relatively hot proved worthwhile as the horse jumped and galloped the whole way, took it up from front-running Rebel Gold after the second-last and ran on strongly to the line to score by two and three-quarter lengths from 14-1 stablemate Path D'Oroux under Keith Donoghue, with the clean sweep provided by the Sean Flanagan-ridden Midnight It Is, a length away in third.

Cromwell dealt with the situation in his usual low-key fashion, and was extremely pleased to win such a prestigious handicap with a horse that rarely runs a bad race. 

He said: “He was a cheap buy as a store. He's a big horse and he has just kept improving. There is no reason why he shouldn't keep improving. 

"He ran big races the last twice, although Keith was a bit annoyed with himself that he came wide on him at Leopardstown last time. He came out of that race well though, he's tough and hardy. Conor's claim was a big help, he's great value for it. It's like a free 5lb.”

It was easy to get the impression that runner-up Path D'Oroux was the horse Cromwell wanted to win. He said: “My eye was on Path D'Oroux the whole way to be honest. I was delighted with the way he travelled into the race and he ran a cracker. Hopefully he'll get his day too. He's been threatening to win a big one and he's run really well again. Unfortunately he'll probably get another couple [of pounds] for that to leave it tougher on him, but that's the nature of it.”

Midnight It Is stayed on well to be third on his first try at this level. Cromwell added: “Sean just took Midnight It Is back after he was keen early but he came home well and ran a cracker. The three of them could well line up in the Grand Annual, but we will enjoy today. It's a very prestigious race and a great one to win.”

Winning rider Stone-Walsh commented: “I was happy enough everywhere. He travelled well and jumped brilliantly and galloped the whole way to the line. 

"Coming to the last I thought I had a right chance but when he landed he just lost a bit of momentum. I was waiting for something to come but thankfully he got back going again. Massive thanks to Gavin, he's been very good to me.”

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