Flat or jumps, Cromwell calls the tune

After ten jumps winners in the last 21 days, Gavin Cromwell maintained his great run of success when Musical Rhapsody (7/1) bounced back to form in the 1m4f handicap.

A winner over the extended ten furlongs here in November, the Holy Roman Emperor homebred was soundly beaten over this trip before Christmas but showed that stamina wasn't a problem with a snug success.

Having sat mid-division in a well-run contest, the winner followed through luckless 3/1 favourite Gracesolution (runner-up over C&D for the third time in a row) in the straight. After the market leader hit the front inside the furlong marker, she was quickly pressed by the winner who led over 50 yards out and won by three-parts of a length.

First and second stayed towards the inner in the straight and showed that it is possible to win from there at Dundalk, with lots of jockeys keen to come as close as possible to the stands' rail in recent weeks.

Cromwell was not present, and winning rider Gary Carroll remarked: "She's a very tough filly and tries hard.

"The last time she ran a bit flat and she probably just needed freshening up and we freshened her up and it worked today.

"Gavin's horses are in great form and thankfully the Flat horses are in just as good form! Hopefully it continues.

"I thought that (could transfer her form to the turf), she doesn't quicken as such but she gets to the line really well. I think grass might bring about a little bit of improvement for the summer."

Quotes from Michael Graham