At Cheltenham, Gavin Cromwell and jockey Keith Donoghue captured attention by winning the Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase for the second consecutive year. Last year, they triumphed with Stumptown, trained by Verkapardubicka, but this time they defied expectations with Final Orders, who entered the race at a modest 16-1 odds.
In a remarkable display, Final Orders dominated the specialist cross-country course, expertly guided by Donoghue, who led the race from start to finish. The horse secured a confident victory, finishing four and a quarter lengths ahead of Emmett Mullins’ 7-4 favorite, Jarive de Rest.
With a record of 10 wins and just one loss in 50 races, Final Orders is set to return to the Cheltenham Festival. Cromwell showered praise on Donoghue, noting his exceptional skill over these fences and highlighting the strong bond between rider and horse. Speaking to ITV Racing, he said, “Keith is incredible over these fences; he’s worth at least a stone more than any horse here. The horse really responds to him, and with Keith’s confidence, they jump beautifully together.”
Cromwell also expressed his enjoyment of Final Orders’ agility and speed, affirming their intention to compete again in March and inviting fans to attend.
Fan Take: This back-to-back victory shows the power of a great trainer-jockey partnership and highlights the unique challenge and excitement of cross-country racing. For horse racing fans, it’s a thrilling reminder of the sport’s depth, where unpredictable outcomes and skilled horsemanship keep the action alive and exciting.
