Cross-card brace for Cromwell as Arcland lands serious punt After his success with Aeros Luck at Punchestown earlier Gavin Cromwell completed a cross-card double via Arcland in the Cusack Hotel Group Family Raceday July 13th Handicap at Navan. In the hands of Robert Whearty (3 day whip ban) on his second start for Cromwell, the previously hard to win with nine-year-old landed quite the punt in this mile five heat. He went off the 6/4 favourite after being reportedly double figures when bookmakers first priced up. Arcland (15/8 - 2/1 - 6/4 on track) was looking good from some way out, and he eventually pretty convincingly defeated Maxwell Smart and Omakase by three parts of a length and the same. "Absolutely (still getting to know him). I suppose he was drawn wide and was stuck on the wing the whole way and was a bit keen with Robert. He stuck at it well and he did find plenty," commented Cromwell. "First run for us over hurdles in Downpatrick was very encouraging. He was off a very low mark there today. "It was nice to win with him. "Absolutely (mix and match over the summer months). He's going to get a penalty but I can't imagine it could be too big, he's still going to be in the low grade." The Raceday Stewards interviewed R. Whearty, rider of Arcland, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted he was in breach of the Whip Regulation and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that R. Whearty was in breach of R.10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered his clean record in this regard, they suspended him for three racedays. (MG & EM)
