Stumptown finds 'new lease of life' with cross-country win as he strengthens Gavin Cromwell's Cheltenham record

Gavin Cromwell once again proved he is a trainer to follow at Cheltenham after Stumptown produced a powerful effort to land the Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase.

Cromwell operated at a 30 per cent strike-rate at Prestbury Park last season (nine winners from 30 runners) and finished only behind Willie Mullins as top trainer at the venue. And he continued his good course form here as his seven-year-old Stumptown held off a late challenge from the rallying Nico de Boinville on Mister Coffey.

Ridden by an ice-cool Keith Donoghue, who was initially motionless on his mount after the last, Stumptown's length victory strengthened his claims for further success at the festival. He was trimmed to 3-1 favourite (from 5-1) for the festival's cross-country event on March 12, and Cromwell said: "It was a terrific performance and I have to be delighted with that. 

"He loved it and it's a huge asset to have Keith in these races because he's very good and gets a tune out of the horses. 

"Stumptown's been around Punchestown a few times and he's very good at the banks, but it's a different discipline here with the hedges and we were hoping he'd take to it, and he took to it very well."

Stumptown, who also landed a valuable handicap chase at the track on New Year's Day, was pulled up in last season's Ultima at the festival, but he appears to have regained his ability in this sphere after completing a hat-trick following back-to-back victories on Punchestown's cross-country course.

Cromwell said: "We said we'd give the Punchestown festival a go with him. We thought he'd hit his maximum in the handicap and we'd give this a go. It seems to have brought a new lease of life into him. It's unbelievable."

Stumptown and Donoghue take the water on their way to victoryCredit: john grossick

While he shortened in the betting for the festival, Stumptown was also cut to 40-1 (from 66-1) for the Grand National in April, and Cromwell added: "Aintree is definitely on the agenda."

Stablemate Vanillier finished ninth, and Cromwell said of his grey: "We thought we'd go the cross-country route. He's getting a little bit older, but he seemed to enjoy it and I'd say he'd potentially come back here for the Cross Country at the festival."

Following the race, amateur Rob James, who partnered 11th home Delta Work, was hit with a three-day suspension due to careless riding after moving left-handed and leaving insufficient room for both runner-up Mister Coffey and Arizona Cardinal.

Read these next:

Olive Nicholls to replace injured Freddie Gingell on leading December Gold Cup contender Il Ridoto 

'He won't be too far away' - Harry Fry hopeful In Excelsis Deo can bounce back in December Gold Cup 

This 13-2 shot at Cheltenham under a jockey I love backing will be the key to my Saturday punting 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.