Cromwell trio ‘all fine’ after National exertions

Gavin Cromwell’s Randox Grand National trio are none the worse for their efforts after meeting with mixed fortunes at Aintree on Saturday.

Stumptown and Perceval Legallois were both 10-1 shots for the world’s greatest steeplechase, with 2023 runner-up Vanillier a 12-1 chance for a stable in fantastic form.

Perceval Legallois was travelling in mid-division when he fell at the ninth obstacle, but thankfully both he and rider Mark Walsh were unharmed.

Stumptown was then hampered by Kandoo Kid’s fall at the 21st fence and was later pulled up, and although he finished lame and with a slight knock, he is well, too.

Prior to the race, Cromwell had expressed some concern that the quick ground would result in a pace a little too fast for Stumptown and Vanillier, both out-and-out stayers, and though it proved to be the case, the latter plugged on to complete in 14th place.

“They’re all good, Perceval Legallois fell, but they’re all fine,” said Cromwell.

“Stumptown is OK, it was just a very fast pace on quick ground and he was flat out all the way and there was no point in persevering.

“I was afraid of that with both him and Vanillier, in fact I thought Vanillier would be more outpaced but he was probably going the same speed at the finish as he was at any point in the race.

“It was fast ground and they went a furious pace.”