Club Manager (striped cap) © Photo Healy Racing
With winners already on the board at Gowran and Bellewstown, Gavin Cromwell quickly added to those gains in the BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle at the latter venue when bottom weight Club Manager scored at 11/1 under Sean Flanagan.
The four-year-old, twice a winner on the level for Andrew Balding, was making his first appearance in a handicap hurdle and came from a long way back to move into contention after the second-last. Third over the final flight, he came through to lead on the run-in and defeated Mary’s Pride by a length and three quarters.
Cromwell said of the Nathaniel gelding who is owned by Anna Mary Kehoe and the Cloud Eight Syndicate: "Aubrey McMahon bought him and he was well bought (47,000gns at the Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale).
"He jumped better and Sean gave him a lovely ride. He took his time and they went very fast - Wrecking Ball Paul brought them along at a right good gallop.
"I suppose it kind of fell in his lap then really.
"Sean gave him a chance and he had loads of room because they were so spread out. He came home to good effect."
Quotes from Michael Graham
