Stone-Walsh resumes winning ways Conor Stone-Walsh got back to winning ways today following injury, steering trainer Gavin Cromwell’s Espritroyale (18s — 12/1) to upset a shorter-priced stablemate and win Fairyhouse’s Winter Festival 28th & 29th November 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle. The Rathrockfolly Partnership-owned daughter of St Mark’s Basilica had previously failed to score on the Flat but today was ridden clear from the second-last, to defeat stablemate Sir Benji (15/8f) by three lengths. Afterwards Cromwell commented “Espritroyale jumped really well, did everything right and picked up well. She had lots of schooling done at home and while I expected her to run well, I didn't think she'd do that to be honest. “The second horse (stablemate Sir Benji) ran well too and I suppose, on Flat ratings, he should have been beating her but we are not in Flat racing." Cheltenham festival-winner Stone-Walsh, who fractured his collarbone at the Listowel festival, was having his first success since recording a Downpatrick double on September 18. Quotes from John O’Riordan
