Stumptown (nearest) © Photo Healy Racing
Stumptown seems to have found his niche as a cross-country performer and made all under Keith Donoghue in the opening Colm Quinn BMW Risk Of Thunder Steeplechase at Punchestown.
A winner over course and distance at the festival on his previous start in May, the seven-year-old jumped well out in front and saw off long-time pursuer Coko Beach on the run to the last of the 26 obstacles as Three By Two emerged as his final challenger.
The 3/1 chance found more for Donoghue, though, and was ridden out to score by two and three-quarter lengths.
Trainer Gavin Cromwell said: “He’s taken to it so well, he loves it.
“He’s careful enough over his fences in chases and you might think that he wouldn’t have the heart for it but he’s taken to it really well.
“There is a race at Cheltenham in December and he’ll probably go there.
“I don’t know too much about it but Keith says the course is very different to here. We’ll be happy to get him over there at the next meeting and get him around it.
“That was Vanillier s first time over them (cross-country obstacles) and you would be happy enough with him (finished a running-on sixth). It generally takes him a run.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
