Sweet Will scores for Cromwell & McNamara

Sweet Will opened his account at the 15th attempt when taking the Fermoy Handicap Hurdle under Conor McNamara at Cork.

The Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding was sent to the front at the penultimate flight and, after meeting the last on a perfect stride, the 13/2 chance needed to be driven right out to hold on by half-a-length. Four Horsemen kept the winner right up to his work in second while the well-backed 4/1 favourite Junior Bee held up by Derek O’Connor to get her settled in a first time hood, came home well a further half-a-length back in third. Strong Roots completed the places in fourth.

Feidhlim Cunningham, representing the Out Of Bounds Syndicate, said: "I part-own this horse with my wife Sarah and a couple of lads and this is brilliant. He has had enough goes and was long overdue getting his head in front.

"He came into form recently, his run at Puchestown has worked out well and we thought he'd run well today.

"It was one of those races for maidens who had three handicap runs so it was his grade and it is great to get a day with him. He might pop a fence in time too."

(TW & AM)