Hello Neighbour steps up in trip to win for Cromwell The Gavin Cromwell trained Hello Neighbour benefitted from a step up in trip when staying on well to land the Lawlor's Of Naas Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) at Punchestown. Sent off 12/1 under Keith Donoghue, the Patrick Sheanon owned five-year-old tracked the leaders after jumping two out. Getting a dream run up the inside rail early in the straight, the gelding headed Tripoli Flyer after the final flight. Strongly pressed by Kopeck De Mee on the run-in, Hello Neighbour was briefly headed but rallied close home to win by a neck. Gavin Cromwell said: "He deserved that as he has been trying hard all year. It can be a tough year stepping up for those juveniles and it was his first time stepping up to that trip but he was a Grade 1 winner and has that bit of class. "His work had been consistent and he stayed the trip well. Keith suggested stepping up in distance and while he is a keen horse, it was a bit of a risk but I suppose he will keen over any trip. He'll go on a break now and hopefully will be a nice chaser next season." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
