English/Ire
Final Orders claims cross-country prize for Cromwell
Gavin Cromwell made it back-to-back wins in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase when Final Orders struck under conditional rider Conor-Stone Walsh.
Cromwell had defending champion Stumptown, who was sent off a 7/2 chance in the hands of cross-country master Keith Donoghue, looking to retain his crown but under a welter burden of 11st 10lb, he could never really get into contention.
However, stablemate Final Orders suffered no such issue and under a confident Conor-Stone Walsh, he picked up well to score by two- and three-quarter lengths from the Gordon Elliott-trained favourite Favori De Champdou.
Vanillier, also trained by Cromwell, ran on well to finish third, with stablemate Stumptown fourth.
Gavin Cromwell said: "I knew conditions would really suit Final Orders and Conor was very good on him.
"He ran really well on Trials Day, but his wind isn't so good on soft ground, and we actually gave him a little wind surgery after that.
"The more the ground dried I thought it would play to Final Orders' strengths, but at the same time Stumptown is so good around here, although the ground drying up was a negative for him.
"I'm not sure he'll get in the National, but I don't see why he wouldn't run there.
"We came here this week with a nice bunch of horses but it's still very difficult and we probably had a stronger team last year so it's great to get one on the board, although all of them have run well so far.
"He's been a wonderful horse for these owners."
Winning rider Conor Stone-Walsh, enjoying his first Festival win, added: "It's a bit surreal at the minute - I think it will take a while to sink in!
"I had no real plan, just get a good start and go wherever he was happy, but I was conscious that I wanted to cover the least ground as possible, so I let him rock down to the Canal Turn and when he jumped that well, we ended up on the inside.
"He jumped from fence to fence and he kept going the whole way."
Earlier on the card, James Bowen doubled his Cheltenham Festival tally when guiding Jingko Blue to a commanding six-length win in the BetMGM Handicap Hurdle.
Bowen, who only broke his Cheltenham Festival duck when claiming the concluding National Hunt Novices' Handicap Chase on Holloway Queen 24 hours ago, placed his mount prominently throughout before kicking for home off the final bend.
From there on in, success always looked in the bag for Jingo Blue, who strode clear to score for Nicky Henderson.
"I thought James was interesting - it wasn't exactly the plan to make the running, but he did it exceptionally well, didn't he? It was great," said Henderson, enjoying his third winner of the week.
"He's not the easiest horse to keep on the right side of - when he's good, he's very talented, but he's not the easiest.
"This was the obvious race to come for. He's not a slow horse, but he got an easy lead there - normally the pace is flat out. Great pace-making by James!
James Bowen said: "Plan A went completely out of the window, then B and C! I never intended to make the running, but I winged the first and the next thing I was there, doing nothing. It felt good when I winged the last because he doesn't always come for you, but he did today.
"He got in a great rhythm, and I was able to take him back the whole way, then when we got between four out and three out, I was able to roll on into it. I jumped that one well and from the top of the hill to turning in it just worked out well.
"It's quick ground and I feel like we went slower today than yesterday when I won the National Hunt Chase. It was always going to suit the ones on the front end and I'm just glad it was me."
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