Charming Fortune and Joey Dunne © Photo Healy Racing
Gavin Cromwell bagged his third winner on the day when Charming Fortune was delivered with a well-timed run to land the spoils in the John Thomas McNamara Series Maiden Hurdle at Sligo.
Joey Dunne held his mount up in the two-and-a-half mile contest before taking closer order after the third last flight.
The 9/2 shot travelled well in third turning for home and was delivered to challenge between long-time leader Derby De Thaix and Kalanisi Flash over the last.
Charming Fortune was driven to the front on the run-in and went on to post a three-and-a-half length win over Kalanisi Flash.
Cromwell was in Cheltenham where he had saddled a quick double with My Mate Mozzie and Encanto Bruno and the winning rider said afterwards:-
"He stayed on really well. I didn't think he would because he was so keen early, he never spat it out the whole race.
"He was a bit disappointing in Downpatrick the last day where he just didn't settle and maybe he didn't like the hill there, but today he did his best work at the end and hit the line strong.
"Gavin said to drop him in a bit, he was keener than I expected early on and I was a bit further up than I wanted to be, but they went hard in front. Coming to the last he started to pick up a bit, I hadn't asked him too many questions at that stage, and when I went for him he did it well.
"At home his work is really good and I think he can go on from this."
(Quotes by Mark Nunan)
