Cromwell scores with first juvenile Flat runner Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Gavin Cromwell scored with his first juvenile Flat runner of the year today, as Joyful Tidings (morning 8/1, returned 7/4f) landed Tipperary’s opening Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden. A second winner for his first-season sire A’Ali, Joyful Tidings disputed the lead racing keenly but finished well to score smartly by 1.75 lengths from Arugam Bay. Joyful Tidings - in whose Dunphy Family-colours Quick Suzy raced prior to winning at Royal Ascot in 2021, was withdrawn having bolted at the Curragh last month, with today’s same rider Gary Carroll reflecting “that was unfortunate, as it was a windy blustery day and the colours started rattling, so he bolted for 100 yards. “I passed Seamie (Heffernan, riding Smart Sioux) but he then bolted and went by me. Both horses got a fright and got runs on us, that’s all. I ended up in the middle of the course, in the sand gallop though. “I think Gavin has a nice bunch of two year olds, this is our first runner so it is nice to get a line on them.” He added “Joyful Tidings jumped well today, he is a strong-travelling horse and there was no real pace on my side but he is very straightforward so I did my own thing. It took a while to get organised between the two (furlongs pole) and the one but I was strong through line. “He galloped out really well, will probably go six and I think he’ll improve plenty from that. He is a big strong horse so we weren’t too afraid about the slower ground but will appreciate nicer ground. He is a nice horse going forward.”
