Inothewayurthinkin's Grand National spot is unconfirmed
Cromwell found success with three wins at Leopardstown
Other entries for Aintree include Perceval Legallois and Vanillier
Mark Walsh riding Inothewayurthinkin clear the last to win The Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices' Chase. (Getty)
Gavin Cromwell has warned punters that Inothewayurthinkin isn't a confirmed runner in the 2025 Grand National, despite his position in the betting.
The Dublin Racing Festival again showcased Willie Mullins' dominance in Irish horse racing. Britain and Ireland's Champion Trainer won six of the eight Grade One races, with the likes of Kopek Des Bordes, Final Demand and Majborough reinforcing their Cheltenham Festival claims.
The second-most successful trainer over the weekend was Gavin Cromwell, who saddled three valuable winners at Leopardstown. Hello Neighbour ended Cromwell's four-year-old wait for another Grade One success on home soil, before Perceval Legallois and Backtonormal romped home in their respective handicaps.
As Galopin Des Champs hit the line to complete a hat-trick of Irish Gold Cup victories, eyes were drawn to Inothewayurthinkin further down the field. Cromwell's star had suffered a 16-length defeat to Galopin Des Champs over Christmas, but produced a much-improved performance on Saturday, crossing the line just seven lengths adrift of Mullins' superstar in fourth.
Following that run over Christmas, Cromwell initially ruled out a tilt at this year's Grand National, claiming that his seven-year-old - who won the Kim Muir and the Mildmay at Aintree last term - was still too inexperienced for such a challenge.
When the initial entries for the 2025 Grand National were revealed, it was a slight surprise to see Inothewayurthinkin feature on the list. Bookies cut Cromwell's rising star into 12/1 joint-favouritism on the back of his Irish Gold Cup run, but Gavin is still unsure whether or not he'll run in the world's most famous handicap.
"Inothewayurthinkin is in (the Grand National)." Cromwell told the press on Tuesday.
"It wasn't originally the plan and it's far from definite that he'll go there. He'll probably have an entry in the Irish National and the (Aintree) Bowl as well. I was delighted with his run in the Irish Gold Cup."
"He was a bit novicey and missed the fourth-last, which knocked him back a bit, but he was good at the line. His jumping is an awful lot better this season."
Mark Walsh riding Perceval Legallois (green/gold hoops) clear the last to win The Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown. (Getty)
Even if Inothewayurthinkin is left to mature for another season, Gavin Cromwell still looks set to field a strong squad in the 2025 Grand National. Perceval Legallois, who won over hurdles at the weekend, is pencilled in to start, along with Limerick Lace and Vanillier, who bounced back to winning form over the Banks course at Punchestown this week.
"There's a good chance Perceval Legallois will go straight there." Cromwell continued. "We've had a fantastic season with him winning the Paddy Power and another €100,000 handicap last weekend. He'd be a nice runner to have at Aintree."
"Vanillier could go straight to the National or run in the cross-country at Cheltenham or the Bobbyjo beforehand. The blinkers revved him up nicely at Punchestown on Monday but I noticed he came alive the last two or three weeks so I think it was a combination of both. When you're second in a National, you feel that that was your chance so it is a massive ask and he's not getting any younger, but it was great to see him win again."
"Limerick Lace has been very disappointing this season and she's been a bit of a headscratcher. She'll have an entry for the Mares' Chase and she's in the National and she won't run between now and then. Whether we just go straight to Aintree, I'm not sure."
