With Willie Mullins sweeping the board, the Aintree Grand National Meeting didn’t go as planned for fellow Irish trainer Gavin Cromwell. The Navan handler sent five runners to Merseyside and all five finished out of the frame. Focussing on the big race, Stumptown was pulled up, Perceval Legallois fell at the ninth fence, and Vanillier finished a well-beaten 14th – a disappointing result for three runners who started at 12/1 or shorter.
Nevertheless, 2024/25 has been a campaign to remember for Cromwell, with the trainer bagging a host of high-profile events on both sides of the Irish Sea. Cromwell has registered nine Graded wins this season, headlined by a spectacular success in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Festival hero Inothewayurthinkin may be off for a well-earned summer holiday, but Cromwell has plenty of other bullets to fire at the remaining prizes as he bids to end the season on a high.
Next Stop, Fairyhouse
With wins in the Welsh Grand National, Cork Grand National, Ulster National, Leinster National, and Kerry National, Cromwell is no stranger to success in significant handicap chases. However, Ireland’s biggest handicap has so far proved elusive.
Taking place in its traditional Easter Monday slot on 21st April, the 3m5f Boylesports Irish Grand National offers €500,000 in prize money and invariably attracts runners from the leading Irish yards. Gordon Elliott, Dermot Weld, Jessica Harrington, Mouse Morris, Noel Meade, and, of course, Willie Mullins, have all landed the prize, but not yet Cromwell. Could 2025 be the year he adds his name to the illustrious list?
If Cromwell fails in his bid to claim a first Irish Grand National, it won’t be through a lack of trying. With the 2025 renewal looming ever larger on the horizon, the following five Cromwell-trained runners remain in contention.
Now Is The Hour
This eight-year-old son of Westerner sits second in most betting lists. A Grade 2 winner over hurdles, he has made a promising start to life over fences. Whilst yet to win in five chase outings, he looked to be travelling as well as anything when falling at the second last in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Relatively unexposed, he brings an appealing profile to the race. However, Cromwell sounded a note of caution regarding his handicap mark, stating:
“Now Is The Hour is in there, but he’s a little bit higher in the weights than I would have liked.
“It’s probably my own fault for running him at Navan in a beginner’s chase in January, as he got 10lb for his run in that.”
Noble Birth
The Irish Grand National has a maximum field of 30. As such, it would be a surprise if Now Is The Hour, who sits at number 32 on the current list, fails to make the cut. In contrast, Noble Birth (number 58 on the list) needs a fair bit of luck to get a run. Only joining the Cromwell operation in October 2024, the eight-year-old bounced back to form with an impressive success at this track in January and would arrive as a fresh horse, having skipped the major spring festivals. When summing up his possible team, Cromwell seemed keen on this horse’s chances.
“He needs a bit of luck and a few to come out, but he’s one I could see running well in it.”
Mint Boy
One of the younger runners in the field at seven years of age, Mint Boy likely has more to offer over fences and landed a competitive handicap hurdle at this track in January 2024. Well fancied for the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, his chance ended with a terrible blunder at the 15th fence. Perhaps he will fare better here.
Yeah Man
Successful in the 2024 Haydock Grand National Trial and ninth in the 2024 edition of this, Yeah Man is no stranger to the heat of battle in stamina-sapping events.
The mud hasn’t dampened the spirits of the first Irish-trained winner of the Grand National Trial for 29 years 🤩
YEAH MAN wins the Virgin Bet Grand National Trial Handicap Chase for Gavin Cromwell and Sean Flanagan 👏 pic.twitter.com/LPp83xS9tW
— Haydock Park Races (@haydockraces) February 17, 2024
He’s 2lb higher than in 2024, which won’t make life easy, but he is one of only two Cromwell runners guaranteed a run as things stand.
Velvet Elvis
With 16 outings over fences, Velvet Elvis is the most experienced of the Cromwell possibles and boasts several smart efforts in the book. A dual winner at this track, he disappointed at Punchestown last time out but had previously finished a 2¼l second to Nick Rockett at Gowran Park. As number 18 on the list, he seems likely to take his chance.
