After defeating two-time winner Galopin Des Champs at Cheltenham, the JP McManus-owned horse Inothewayurthinkin could have his next start at the Punchestown Festival after being ruled out of the Grand National
The hot favourite for the Randox Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin will not run in the race. After defeating two-time Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs at Cheltenham on Friday, his odds were slashed for next month’s Aintree showpiece.
He was 3-1 favourite with William Hill and predicted to become the shortest priced favourite in Grand National history, had he lined up on April 4. Trainer Gavin Cromwell asked for time to decide on a plan of action for the JP McManus-owned star.
On Tuesday he announced that Inothewayurthinkin had been taken out of the £1 million race at the next opportunity. Inothewayurthinkin had twice been defeated by Galopin Des Champs in his prep races for Cheltenham. At the time his main goal was supposed to be the Grand National.
But a week before the Gold Cup, Cromwell revealed the horse would be added to field for the Gold Cup, a move that would cost McManus £25,000 in a supplementary entry fee.
The gamble proved inspired as Inothewayurthinkin hunted down Gold Cup hat-trick seeking Galopin Des Champs, taking charge from the last fence to triumph by six lengths under Mark Walsh.
Cromwell said: “He’s only a seven-year-old and we’ve worked hard on his jumping this season and his jumping has improved an awful lot. We think it’s the right thing to do. It’s all about doing the right thing for the horse.”
With Aintree now off the table, Inothewayurthinkin could round off his season in the Punchestown Gold Cup, but that is also far from certain.
“Punchestown is an option, but it’s certainly not for definite,” Cromwell added. “He’s come out of the race well.”
Inothewayurthinkin was among a number of horses who also ran at Cheltenham taken out of the race at the scratching stage.
The list also included Envoi Allen, Gentlemansgame, Monty’s Star, The Real Whacker, Galvin, Trelawne, Limerick Lace and Pinkerton.
McManus still has last year’s winner I Am Maximus and Iroko in the race while Cromwell has Cross-Country Chase winner Stumptown and third Vanillier.
