Inothewayurthinkin

Inothewayurthinkin only finished third behind Hunters Yarn in the listed novices’ hurdle at Navan on Sunday, but there was a lot to like about the performance that he put up. In the end, Gavin Cromwell’s horse was beaten by almost seven lengths by the winner, but the winner’s performance was good enough for bookmakers to put him into the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle picture, and Inothewayurthinkin was only beaten a half a length by Imagine for third. There is room for improvement in his jumping too, and he was held up in a race in which the winner was handy from flagfall.

Fifth of the five runners as they rose to the third last flight, he landed on all fours over that obstacle, losing momentum just as they were quickening in front. He wasn’t great at the second last either, and he was still last and under a ride as they raced between the final two flights. He got in tight to the final flight too, but he stayed on strongly up the hill, getting past American Mike for third place and just failing to catch Imagine for the runner-up spot.

Winner of his first two runs over hurdles, conqueror of the afore-mentioned Imagine in the latter, Gavin Cromwell’s horse was thought good enough for connections to allow him take his chance in the Grade 1 Lawlor’s of Naas Hurdle in January. He is from a really good family, he is a full brother to Limerick Lace and he is a half-brother to Ilikedwayurthinkin and Spades Are Trumps, all owned by JP McManus and trained by Gavin Cromwell. Spades Are Trumps is an Ulster National winner and Ilikedwayurthinkin has won over two miles and six and a half furlongs, and Inothewayurthinkin shaped here as if he would appreciate a step back up in trip. He has raced just four times, so he has the potential to go beyond his current handicap rating of 137. He could be a horse for the Martin Pipe Hurdle or the Coral Cup at Cheltenham.
Navan, 12^th February 2023