Cromwell strikes again with Secret The Gavin Cromwell-trained Secret Force made a stylish start over jumps when claiming the opening William Hill 3-Y-O Hurdle at Punchestown this afternoon. Conor Stone-Walsh produced the Frankel gelding to lead over the last in the two-miler and the 10/3 shot quickened away in fine style for a six-and-a-half length win over Hopes Are High. The winner was making it two from two since joining Cromwell, having won a Flat handicap at Listowel on his debut for the yard last month. “They went a good gallop and he got a nice lead. He’s a nice horse,” said Cromwell. “I suppose he was getting weight off the winners, which was a bit of a help, but it was still a nice performance on his first run. He picked up well. “He’s a 70 odd rated horse on the Flat so we won’t be getting too excited but at the same time he’s a nice type and he’s by a very good sire too. “To be fair to him when he won down in Listowel he was drawn very wide and he had to do it the hard way and won. “He has plenty of size and scope so hopefully he can keep improving.”
