Routine Excellence and Keith Donoghue lead over the last © Photo Healy Racing
The four-year-olds and up maiden hurdle for previously unplaced horses saw a significant off-course gamble landed by hurdling debutant Routine Excellence
The son of Getaway, who had won a point-to-point for Colin Bowe last year, was backed at fancy prices overnight and from 12/1 this morning into 11/4 favouritism at the off.
Keith Donoghue ’s mount tracked the front-running Salmanino and moved up to join issue at the second-last. In front over the final flight, he wasn’t hard pressed to beat Salmanino by four and a half lengths. Bonnie Kellie was challenging but looked held when coming down at the final flight and that left Barncroft to take third place.
The winner, who was fitted with a tongue-tie for the first time, had been soundly beaten in a bumper and four chases in his previous starts under Rules.
“He hadn't run since last March and he came back in a different horse," said winning trainer Gavin Cromwell.
"We were happy with him and thought he'd go close today.
“We'll see what the handicapper does with him over hurdles and take it from there.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
