Sixandahalf full of promise in Cromwell four-timer at Fairyhouse

Sixandahalf created a big impression when running out a stylish winner of the SBK Mares Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse, kicking off a fantastic four-timer for trainer Gavin Cromwell.

Having claimed a Punchestown bumper in April, Cromwell’s five-year-old went on to enjoy a successful stint on the Flat, scoring at Cork and Newmarket before finishing third in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh.

Her jumping debut could hardly have gone any better, with Sixandahalf (2-1) tracking long-time leader Qualimita before cruising through to take over approaching the second-last.

Two neat jumps put the race to bed and Keith Donoghue did not have to push her out to score by a dozen lengths.

Sixandahalf was cut from 14-1 to 7-1 for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham by Betfair and Paddy Power, and Cromwell said: “She jumped really well and you couldn’t ask for better.

“I’m not sure where we go from here. She’s not very big, but she has an engine, a great attitude and jumps well.

“Hopefully, she’ll end up going to the mares’ novice (at Cheltenham) ultimately.”

When asked if she could go back on the Flat during the summer, he added: “Absolutely, she’s a very versatile mare.”

Cromwell also had the first three home in the lucrative SBK Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase, won by The King Of Prs, and completed his four-timer thanks to Noble Birth and De Temps En Temps.

Noble Birth made virtually all of the running in the Irish Stallion Farm Novice Chase and galloped on strongly from the front under Donoghue to beat Banjaxed by just over four lengths at 11-4.

“It was a good performance. He got a little bit of a freebie in front, I suppose, and he jumped great and stayed going well,” said Cromwell.

“I suppose we’re in the hands of the handicapper now and we’ll make a plan after that. I haven’t looked yet but maybe the novice handicap chase in Navan or something like that.”

Declan Lavery conjured up a late charge from 5-2 shot De Temps En Temps to land the SBK (Pro/Am) Flat Race, a contest won previously by the likes of Gerri Colombe, Tornado Flyer and Romeo Coolio.

Cromwell said: “He was good. I thought turning in ‘what’s after going wrong here, I thought he was much better than that’ – but once he got going, he flew.

“I thought it was getting very tight at the furlong pole but he was lucky enough to get through. He picked up to get in between them and then pricked his ears when he got there.”

The handler added: “It’s been a brilliant day. I’m not sure if I had an across-the-card four-timer before but that’s definitely my first at one meeting. It’s great, at a local track as well.”

Elsewhere, Declan Queally’s Bacchanalian justified 4-5 favouritism with the minimum of fuss in the Racing TV Club Day At Fairyhouse Hurdle, making all to score by four and a quarter lengths.

Winning jockey Sean O’Keeffe said: “That was very nice. He popped out nice in front and jumped away well.

“He had a nice jump at the second-last when I wanted him and kind of put the race to bed. He just popped the last and came home well enough.”

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