Cromwell pleased with rainfall for Inothewayurthinkin Gold Cup-hero Inothewayurthinkin remains on course for his seasonal reappearance in the John Durkan Chase on November 23, with trainer Gavin Cromwell pleased to see the recent easing of ground conditions. The dual Cheltenham festival-winner signed off for the 2024/25 season with success in the sport’s blue riband event in March, when defeating Galopin Des Champs by six lengths, with Cromwell not targetting a same path for J. P. McManus’ seven-year-old this season. Cromwell reported “we’ve had a lot of rain which is welcome, as it will be beautiful ground for starting off Inothewayurthinkin. He is a big horse so certainly wouldn’t be starting on good but is fine on any ground as long as it isn’t on the quick side. “He is a lot more switched on this year and hopefully is open to more improvement, although that remains to be seen. We are happy with what we’ve seen at the moment though. “Two-and-a-half miles is on the sharp side for him but it is a nice trip for his first run and hopefully he can run well. Outside of the John Durkan, Christmas meeting at Leopardstown and Dublin Racing Festival — which is a nice route, there isn’t much else for him except the race at Tramore or else to travel abroad.” Regarding his Gold Cup success, he added “it is always nerve-wracking when you think you have a chance in a race like the Gold Cup, but thankfully everything went to plan and he pulled it off. “His jumping had initially been a bit sticky but it improved all through last year and Keith (Donoghue, stable jockey) taught him plenty at home. He improved from race to race and that was all part of learning. “It is very hard to get these very good horses and I’d just love to have more of them coming on stream but we’ll keep trying.” Inothewayurthinkin is currently 4/1 second-favourite for Punchestown’s John Durkan Chase, behind 5/4 favourite Fact To File, which also races for owner McManus. Quotes from Dave Keena
