Gavin Cromwell supplements smart novice Gabynako for ambitious Arkle bid

A new face has been added to the Sporting Life Arkle picture as Gavin Cromwell has supplemented classy novice Gabynako for the Grade 1 at a cost of £8,000.

A fourth-place finish or better will be required in order for connections to earn back at least their supplementary stake, but Cromwell believes the shortest novice chase of the meeting represents Gabynako's best chance of a victory next week.

The 150-rated performer, who has been placed in a trio of Grade 1s, was sent off just 9-2 for last season's Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle when effectively being brought down at the first.

He was a general 25-1 chance for his other two entries at this year's meeting in the Brown Advisory and Turners Novices' Chase.

Cromwell told the Racing Post prior to the supplementary stage closing: "We're going to supplement him for the Arkle. It's going to be a good race, but it might be the lesser option of the three Grade 1 novice chases at Cheltenham this year.

Gabynako: carries the colours of the Mick & Molly SyndicateCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"If he can travel in the first half of the race, I think he'll come home well. Keith Donoghue will ride him [for the first time]."

Having beaten top-level scorer Fury Road in a Fairyhouse beginners' chase before arguably finishing an unlucky second to Beacon Edge in the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase in November, Gabynako has been absent since finishing a well-held third in the Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick.

However, Cromwell insisted it was always his intention to freshen up the seven-year-old before a tilt at the festival.

"We said after Limerick that he'd go straight to Cheltenham," said the dual-purpose trainer.

"He had a very hard race in the Drinmore and that took its toll in the Faugheen Novice Chase. In hindsight, we probably shouldn't have went to Limerick but it's easy to be wise afterwards."

Cromwell had just one winner from 49 runners in the three weeks prior to last weekend, but his stable roared back to form with a four-timer across Saturday and Sunday.

On his stable form, Cromwell said: "I wasn't too concerned, to be honest. Most of them were running well and just needed a bit of luck. Still, it's nice to have a confidence-booster for everyone that the horses are showing their form."

He added: "We could have six runners over there next week. All is good with Flooring Porter before the Stayers' Hurdle and Vanillier ahead of the National Hunt Chase. They had their last bit of fast work on Tuesday morning, and they jumped.

"White Pepper [who is entered for the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle and Triumph Hurdle] will be going over and hopefully Ilikedwayurthinkin gets into the Martin Pipe."

The three-time Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer revealed it is uncertain whether My Mate Mozzie will make the trip to Prestbury Park next week.

Cromwell said: "We're looking at the County Hurdle if he runs, but he's not definite to go to Cheltenham yet. We just might hold off and aim him at some of the other festivals."

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