Cromwell anticipating Punchestown jockey switch for Inothewayurthinkin

Mark Walsh appears set to ride Fact To File in preference to Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin when the JP McManus-owned stars clash in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on Sunday.

The Willie Mullins-trained Fact To File will be defending his crown in the extended two-mile-three-furlong showpiece, having beaten another McManus runner, Spillane’s Tower, 12 months ago.

Gavin Cromwell’s Inothewayurthinkin was last of the seven to complete on that occasion, but continued to progress throughout the campaign, culminating in glory in the blue riband at the Festival in March, where Fact To File landed the Ryanair Chase.

“I don’t know the final decision on who will ride Inothewayurthinkin yet – we’ll speak with connections on that. I suspect Mark Walsh will ride Fact To File having won the race on him last year, but we’ll have to wait and see. If that’s the case, I’d say Keith Donoghue will probably ride our lad,” said William Hill ambassador Cromwell.

“We’re really happy with him at home and he seems in great form. The trip is a little bit on the sharp side for him, but it’s a nice starting point for this season. He’s a sharper, stronger horse than he was this time last year, so we’re hopeful of a good run.

“In my mind, a good run would be a clear round of jumping and galloping well to the line without being beaten too far. I hope he can be competitive, but you have the likes of Fact To File in there who is a faster horse. We’ll probably struggle to beat him on the day. Hopefully we can make a race of it.”