Pure Sirloin, black and white, gets there© Photo Healy Racing
Pure Sirloin (7/1) kept on best between horses to land an absolute thrilling renewal of the Ardmulchan Handicap Hurdle in Navan. Indie Belle led and jumped well before taking a few lengths out of the field after the third last. At this stage, Pure Sirloin was off the bridle well behind.
Indie Belle increased her margin two out and attempted to make the best way home. The engine began to run dry on the run-in, though, as her lead was whittled away and a trio of horses surged past her in the final 100 yards. Gold Haven Penny Jar and Pure Sirloin (who made up plenty of ground) kept on in unison towards the line and it was Pure Sirloin who grabbed the first prize by a short head from Gold Haven (25/1) with 15/2 chance Penny Jar just a head back in third.
Indie Belle (6/1) dropped three and a half lengths off this trio, but her backers got an each-way dividend for fourth in this 18-runner handicap.
“He would want to learn to jump better, but he was good over the last two which got him out of jail,” said Cromwell.
“He made plenty of mistakes and Keith gave him a smashing ride to land him there. He's a work in progress and we'll look for something similar again.”
Cromwell and Donoghue took the opener on the card with Path D'oroux (3/1).
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
