Cromwell collects with 'a welcome winner' Trainer Gavin Cromwell scored with a second big-priced winner in recent days today, as Coole Cafe (33/1) gave March’s Gold Cup hero another welcome success in Navan’s opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Academy Hurdle. Ridden by Conor Stone-Walsh for owner James Dunne, the daughter of Kodi Bear was hampered by the exiting I’m All In at the fourth hurdle and made headway entering the home straight before quickening past Kilbarry Lizzy on the run-in. Today’s race was the fifth of the newly-introduced Academy Hurdle series - four of which have gone to Flat-breds, with Cromwell commenting "I just happened to look up if Kodi Bear had many jumpers and he actually does get a few, and I liked her. “It was a concern with her Flat pedigree that she might get stuck in the ground and she kind of looks like a Flat filly too, but you'd have to like the way she hit the line and she likes jumping. I suppose the Flat pedigree came into play (regarding the race’s pace), but she jumped well and it was a nice performance. “Conor got her switched off, gave her a chance and she picked up really well.” Cromwell, who statistically had his worst month with just one winner from 110 jump runners in November, had a 12/1 winner at Clonmel on Tuesday and today he added “I don't know where next with Coole Cafe but we will enjoy the welcome winner." Quotes from Michael Graham
