Ex-blacksmith Gavin Cromwell is set to take his ‘biggest team ever’ to the Cheltenham Festival. The County Meath-based trainer has firmly established himself among Ireland’s top trainers since taking out a licence in 2005. He is a Royal Ascot and six-time Cheltenham Festival winner and is only behind Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott in this season’s Irish jumps trainers’ championship. Cromwell began his career in racing as a blacksmith. These days he limits himself in that role to the odd spare shoeing on a Sunday morning as his training career continues to go from strength to strength.

Speaking on Tuesday at a media stable visit organised by The Jockey Club, Cromwell said: “It is looking like we will send over our biggest ever team for Cheltenham this year. “We’ve got more used to success now – we’ve certainly had a bit of practice! It’s exciting and a nice position to be in. I am happy with where we are at the moment. The horses are healthy and well – we just have to try and keep them like that.

“Cheltenham is the Olympics for us. As much as we all get caught up in it and it shouldn’t be all about Cheltenham, it really is all about Cheltenham. I think the changes to The Festival announced earlier this season were a positive. “I think the British are certainly going to have more winners than they’ve had in the past few years and it will be great to see some decent competition.”. Cromwell saddled two winners at Cheltenham last year where Inothewayurthinkin and Limerick Lace scored.

Both will have entries but their plans have yet to be finalised by Cromwell who discussed the main members of his team. Horse-by-horse guide. “Al Gasparo goes for the Coral Cup. He’s in good form and will go straight there as he is best fresh.”. “Bioluminescence will have an entry in the mares’ chase but would only run if it was soft ground. In the same race, Only By Night and Brides Hill will also have entries. Only By Night would be an unlikely runner in the Arkle due to its strength and depth and will run this weekend at Exeter or Naas.”.

“Champagne Jury won at Naas a couple of weeks ago and will have an entry in the Champion Bumper.”. “Hello Neighbour definitely still has room to improve. they didn’t go very quick when he won at Leopardstown which was a negative and I’m sure he’d settle much better in proper run race which hopefully he should get in the Triumph Hurdle. that should suit him better and help him to settle. I think he will have learnt plenty and will improve. he is very versatile ground-wise.”.

“Inothewayurthinkin is in the Grand National but it’s far from definite he will go there. He will have an entry in the Irish National and the Aintree Bowl too, I was delighted with his run in the Irish Gold Cup. He was a little bit novicey but was good at the line. His jumping his improved a lot this season – he’s much slicker.”. “I don’t know what’s happened with Limerick Lace this season. On both occasions she has run I thought she was going there in good form as her work had been very good. But she carried her head in the air and never really went at all. It’s a bit of a headscratcher. She will have an entry for the Mares’ Chase again at Cheltenham and is also entered in the Grand National.”.

Now Is The Hour will have an entry for the Kim Muir and the National Hunt Chase. The National Hunt Chase is probably the most likely option and the softer the ground, the better for him.”. “Perceval Legallois is in the Grand National and there is a good chance he could go straight there. he’s had a fantastic year already with wins in the Paddy Power and a €100,000 last weekend. he is on a career-high mark now but is a nice runner to have for Aintree.”.

“Sixandahalf is very good and won’t run until Cheltenham. She schooled the other day and is a very good jumper. She has only had the one run over hurdles but is very good and in great form. We are looking forward to it and I think it will take a nice one to beat her (in the Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle).”. Stumptown has taken to Cross Country racing really well. It will be interesting to see what the handicapper puts him in at but we have to deal with. I am looking forward to going for the Cross Country with him and he is in good form.”.

Vanillier has a Grand National entry. He could maybe go for the Cross Country and the Grand National or the Bobbyjo and the Grand National. He has come alive over the last two to three weeks. After you’ve been second in a National it’s a massive ask to go and win it. He’s a veteran now and not getting any younger. At the same time, it’s great to see him in such good form and enjoying life.”.