The Passing Wife too strong for Doctor Du Mesnil in maiden hurdle The Passing Wife took full advantage of a significant drop in class when easily accounting for odds-on favourite Doctor Du Mesnil in the Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Series (C & G) Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown. A three-time bumper winner, the Gavin Cromwell trained gelding had finished third on his hurdling debut at Gowran Park in November. He then stepped up markedly in class to finish third in the Grade 2 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, before finishing fifth at the highest level at Leopardstown over Christmas. Back in calmer waters this afternoon, the 2/1 chance tracked market leader Doctor Du Mesnil throughout under Keith Donoghue. Travelling the better of the pair after two out, The Passing Wife led at the final flight before going clear to score easily by nine-lengths. Gavin Cromwell said: “Maybe we over faced him the last day going to the Grade 1 but we are back on track there. It’s nice to win a maiden with him and he’s qualified for the handicaps in Cheltenham. “We’ll freshen him up and probably go for either the Martin Pipe or the Coral Cup as he’d want a trip.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
