Patiently ridden pointer gives Cromwell a double

Point-to-point winner Aprils Joy scored on the flat at Tramore today, completing a double for her trainer Gavin Cromwell in the Strand Inn Dunmore Handicap.

Ridden patiently by Conor Maxwell, the six year old mare worked her way into contention in the final half mile, eventually improving to lead close home and beat Walnut Beach by three parts of a length.

Cromwell, recording his fourth winner of the festival and earlier successful with White Pepper later said "I thought he had left her with too much to do but he said they went quick. I thought at the bottom of the hill that she wasn't going to get there but in fairness she dug deep.

“She is very versatile and has even won a point-to-point. She hasn't won a chase on the track yet but I think she will.

“Her owners (the Mick & Molly Syndicate) are from the Bellewstown area and there is a handicap hurdle in Bellewstown that she could potentially run in, but she is just not certain to get in."

Aprils Joy's point-to-point win came for previous trainer Tony Martin at Tyrella in January 2020.

Quotes from Donal Murphy