'That's my background' - Dab hand Donoghue proves Cross Country pedigree again
ALL IN HIS HANDS: Stumptown gives Jockey Keith Donoghue his 5th win in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase Pic:HEALY RACING
There are certainly shades of retired rider Davy Russell about Keith Donoghue, and it was in evidence once again on Wednesday afternoon as the Co Meath rider gave Stumptown a terrific ride to take the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase.
For Russell, the bigger the obstacle in front of him, the greater relish with which he tackled it, and it was in this race, all the way back in 2006 when, riding the Philip Rothwell-trained Native Jack, he began his Festival journey of success.
And Donoghue, who has established himself as a top-class jockey in all disciplines, has made this race his own in recent times. When he drove the 5-2 chance, trained by Gavin Cromwell, to victory it was the County Meath rider’s fifth win in seven runnings of the race since 2018.
Intrinsically linked with the great Tiger Roll, the two-time Grand National winner on which he won this race three times and Russell won two Aintree Grand Nationals, he added his fourth win in this race aboard Delta Work in 2023 and completed the nap hand with a hard-fought victory aboard Stumptown.
Asked what it is that makes him so good around this type of course, Donoghue replied: “I suppose it all goes back to going hunting with the Ward Union. A lot of people are good jockeys, but they mightn’t be as good over cross-country fences. But that’s my background. A lot of people hunt when they are young and then stop, but I still hunt now. I grew up with that, and I just like it.
“I’m riding for Gavin Cromwell, so it makes it a lot easier. If you don’t have the horses, you can’t do it, and Gavin has been absolutely brilliant to me. Without him, I wouldn’t be in this position.”
The winning trainer, also impressed with the rider, felt the winner may not have been at his best, but his sights remain on an Aintree Grand National tilt with the eight-year-old, provided he comes out of this race in good heart..
“I was very concerned for a while to be honest, but he has ended up running out a good winner in the end,” said Cromwell. “I don’t think Keith thought he was at his best either but we will take it anyway.
“I don’t have an explanation (why he didn’t travel) as well today, but we got away with it and he won. The cheekpieces just helped him at the finish, but he has thrived over these fences.
“Keith is definitely worth a few pounds around here. He is an ultra-professional and there is no stone unturned with him. Stumptown is in the Grand National and we will aim him at it, but it is coming soon enough. All being well he will go there.”
Cromwell also saddled the third-place Vanillier, who lost vital position early when almost taking a wrong course but made rapid late progress to get into the frame.
“Vanillier went wide early on and that definitely didn’t help his cause,” he added. “He lost a lot of ground as he jumped the fence making the running and came out of it with only one or two behind him. He is in the Grand National as well and I think he should get in and the plan is to go there with him.”
After some good runs on Tuesday, particularly from Arkle runner-up Only By Night, Fred Winter runner-up Robbies Rock, Ultima third Malina Girl, and Now Is The Hour, who was challenging when falling at the second-last in the National Hunt Chase, Stumptown’s win was a welcome change of luck for the Danestown stable.
“The horses ran well yesterday, but I’m happy now we have a winner and that takes a weight off my shoulders.”
