Final decision yet to be made on Arkle for Final Orders

Ashley Iveson
February 16, 2023 11:38 am

Cromwell runner has shot up the rankings this term.

Gavin Cromwell is eyeing an ambitious tilt at the Arkle Trophy with his fast-improving Dublin Racing Festival winner Final Orders.

The seven-year-old has made remarkable progress since joining Cromwell last summer, with his first victory coming in a Bellewstown handicap hurdle in August when rated just 96.

Final Orders has since had his attentions turned the larger obstacles and while he was narrowly beaten on his chasing debut at Downpatrick, he has since rattled off a four-timer including back-to-back triumphs at Leopardstown.

A 9lb hike for his lucrative Dublin Racing Festival triumph means he is now on a lofty perch of 149, leaving Cromwell to consider a possible step up to Grade One level at Cheltenham next month.

Back-to-back wins for @gavincromwell1!
This time it’s @donoghue_keith in the saddle as Final Orders lands the @paddypower Cheltenham Fanzone Handicap Chase 🥇#DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/gOSiMOqfzn

— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) February 4, 2023

“Final Orders is all good and at the moment I suppose the Arkle is the most likely place he’ll go, but he’ll probably get an entry in a couple of the handicaps as well,” said the trainer.

“He loves jumping fences and is such a good jumper. Realistically we’re probably only looking at a place chance in the Arkle, but you never know what can happen on the day.”

Final Orders is part of a small but select team of horses Cromwell is preparing for the showpiece meeting in the Cotswolds, with dual Stayers’ Hurdle hero Flooring Porter the star of the squad, provided he recovers from a setback in time to bid for the hat-trick.

Perceval Legallois in action at Leopardstown (Donall Farmer/PA)

Perceval Legallois, another Dublin Racing Festival winner, is also bound for Prestbury Park along with a few other stablemates.

Cromwell added: “Perceval Legallois is qualified for the Pertemps Final and I suppose that’s the obvious place to go. He was good in Leopardstown and we’re definitely aiming towards that.

“I’m happy with Jeremys Flame. She was a good winner in Huntingdon the last day and I’m and looking forward to going for the Mares’ Chase with her.

“We’ll let Letsbeclearaboutit take his chance in the Albert Bartlett and Path D’Oroux will probably go for the County Hurdle.”