Stumptown the pride of Ireland with Velka Pardubicka triumph

Stumptown claimed a famous success for Ireland in the Velka Pardubicka at Pardubice racecourse in the Czech Republic.

Trained by Gavin Cromwell and ridden by Keith Donoghue, Stumptown won the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March but was subsequently pulled up in the Grand National in April.

The eight-year-old was back on top form for this extended four-and-a-quarter-mile cross country event, with Donoghue settling just off the pace as Sexy Lord, who dead-heated in the race last year, set the early gallop.

However, Stumptown made a mistake at the famous Taxis fence with Donoghue doing well to maintain the partnership before allowing his mount time to recover and regain his momentum, only for the gelding to then meet the second part of a double fence – known as the Small Gardens – all wrong.

That again cost him ground but Donoghue did not panic, even though the duo had dropped back to last place, letting Stumptown to work his way back into contention before really starting to push for home with a couple of fences to jump.

Sexy Lord still looked to be travelling well when pulled up before the last but Stumptown responded to Donoghue’s every urging to assume the lead on the run to the line and beat High In The Sky by a length and three-quarters.

Caryjape was a further six lengths back in third while fellow Irish raider, the Peter Maher-trained Cavalry Master, came home in ninth place.

Cromwell said: “It’s unbelievable, Keith gave the horse a super ride.

“He got behind after a mistake at the Taxis and then at the second double and that certainly wasn’t the plan.

“He was last at one stage but full credit to Keith he remained patient and let him work his way back into it.”

It’s A Snip, ridden and trained by Charlie Mann, was the last British or Irish runner to land the race back in 1995 and Cromwell was thrilled to add his name to the roll of honour.

He added: “It’s just a super privilege to win this historic race.”