Gavin Cromwell, a racehorse trainer based in Navan, Co Meath, pulled off a huge coup last Saturday when he saddled Raz De Maree to win the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.

It is only the second time that an Irish-trained horse has won the prestigious race, which has an £85,000 first prize.

Cromwell is a relatively small Irish trainer, whose first claim to fame in racing was as farrier for neighbouring trainer Gordon Elliott.

Cromwell still holds that position, but has also built up his own training operation.

Up to last weekend his stable star was Grade 1 winner Jer’s Girl, whose owner JP McManus rewarded Cromwell by sending him Espoir D’Allen, a recent Leopardstown Grade 2 winner.

Fascinating backstory

Raz De Maree has a fascinating backstory. At 13 years of age, he is one of the oldest horses in training.

At Chepstow he was ridden by local jockey James Bowen, a rising star who is just three years older than the horse.

The late Dessie Hughes was Raz De Maree’s first trainer and won both the Munster National (Limerick) and Cork National in 2012 for Hughes.

In October 2016 Cromwell sent out Raz De Maree to win the Cork National again and the horse went on to finish second in the Welsh Grand National 13 months ago.

The horse was sent back to Chepstow just before Christmas for a repeat bid, but the race was cancelled due to waterlogging, leaving both the horse and his groom, Jenny Murphy, to have their Christmas dinner away from home.

When the race was rescheduled they took to the ferry again and the rest is history.

“He’s such a pleasure to have, it’s fantastic,” said Cromwell. “He’s only a small horse, but has such heart.”

Raz De Maree could yet be aimed at the Aintree Grand National in April, though very soft ground would be necessary if he was to take his chance there.

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