Cheltenham Gold Cup news: Gavin Cromwell says Inothewayurthinkin “will take plenty of beating” if he turns up
Gavin Cromwell has fired an early warning to the rest of the staying chase division: if Inothewayurthinkin brings his A-game to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, they might all be running for second.
Speaking on William Hill’s Inside Track: Ireland podcast, the trainer admitted this season hasn’t exactly gone to script - for the yard or for his stable star - but insists the reigning Gold Cup hero is coming to the boil at the right time.
“Inothewayurthinkin did a bit of work after racing in Fairyhouse last week and that went very well,” William Hill ambassador Cromwell revealed.
“It’s difficult to know why he’s unperformed so much this season. The yard hasn’t had the season we would have wished for. Horses have underperformed and he’s the one that’s really highlighted it.”
Encouragement
There have been flashes of encouragement. Cromwell was content enough with his effort in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, even if the finishing position told a different story.
“He was beaten a long way but it was a funny race. They went helter-skelter and he was flat to the boards all the way. But he jumped really well and stayed going.”
Christmas, however, was another matter entirely.
“Christmas was a disaster. He didn’t show up at all and we were on the back foot after that.”
Things looked steadier at the Dublin Racing Festival - until they didn’t.
“He had run an okay race down to the second last,” said Cromwell.
“He got a bit tired up the straight, but I didn’t mind that so much. It was just a disaster when he fell. Since that, he hasn’t missed a beat. He got up from that fall and hasn’t turned back.”
In short: forget the mid-season wobble. Cromwell believes spring sunshine could be the key.
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Spring horse
The horse’s coat has come right, his work has sharpened up, and history suggests he thrives at this time of year.
“When you look back at his history, he seems to be a real spring horse,” Cromwell added.
“I don’t think he’d want it heavy, but he wouldn’t want good ground either. He’s not the quickest horse and I wouldn’t want him taken off his feet.”
As for the Gold Cup itself?
“You can make a case for plenty in the race, but if Inothewayurthinkin is on his A-game, he’s going to take plenty of beating.
“He was a good winner of the race last year and hopefully we can get him there in the same condition.”
That’s not quite bravado - but it’s close enough to get punters reaching for their slips.
Blow for spring festivals as Flooring Porter ruled out
There was less positive news elsewhere in the yard.
Cromwell confirmed that Flooring Porter has suffered a setback and will miss both Cheltenham and Aintree, including the Grand National.
“Flooring Porter has met a setback and is not going to make Cheltenham or the Grand National,” he said.
“We’ve just met a speedbump in the road en route to the spring festivals. He’s going to be fine, but this has just set us back.”
