Punchestown 21 5 24 Mywayofthinkin and Mark Walsh win the Punchestown Maiden Hurdle Healy Racing © Photo Healy Racing
Twice runner-up from as many starts in bumpers, the Gavin Cromwell trained Mywayofthinkin made a winning debut over flights when staying on nicely to land Division l of the Tuesday Treat At Punchestown Maiden Hurdle at the County Kildare track.
Sent off a well supported 4/5f, jockey Mark Walsh was content to track the leaders early on, as Clonshire River led second favourite Omniscient
As the front two kicked on approaching two out, Walsh moved up to take closer order in third. With leader Clonshire River departing at that penultimate flight, Omniscient was left in front under Sam Ewing.
Turning into the straight with one to jump, Walsh appeared to be travelling the better of the pair, as he loomed up on the outside of the Gordon Elliott trained gelding.
A better jump at that last almost certainly sealed the outcome, with Mywayofthinkin landing running and getting away from the flight quicker.
Ewing kept Omniscient up to his work all the way to the line but the eventual winner proved too strong by one-and-a-quarter lengths.
“That was grand, we were glad to see the bit of rain coming this morning. It's lovely ground and if the rain didn't come we may not have been running,” said Cromwell.
“He had a hard enough race in both bumpers and it was the sensible thing to do (go hurdling).
“He'll be going back home to Martinstown shortly.
“He was a little bit deliberate and careful everywhere but professional over the last two when he was needed. He went to the line well and it was nice.”
When it was put to him that the family have been good to him he added:- “Brilliant and Frank was just telling me that she (Sway) had a colt foal the other day. That's nice to hear.
“They look like chasers, big horses, and this is a nice horse to look forward to as well.”
