Punchestown win for The Passing Wife prompts Festival thoughts
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Mon 26 Jan 2026
The Passing Wife appears to have earned himself a place on Gavin Cromwell’s Cheltenham Festival squad after belatedly opening his account over obstacles with an impressive victory at Punchestown.
The three-time bumper winner had been placed on two of his four previous starts over obstacles, notably finishing third in the Grade Two Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse before coming home fifth when stepped up to Grade One level for Leopardstown’s Future Champions Novice Hurdle over the Christmas period.
Dropped back down in grade for the Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Series (C & G) Maiden Hurdle, The Passing Wife was a 2-1 shot in the hands of Keith Donoghue and readily reeled in the Willie Mullins-trained 2-5 favourite Doctor Du Mesnil before pulling nine lengths clear.
Cromwell said: “We maybe we over-faced him the last day going to the Grade One, but we are back on track. It’s nice to win a maiden with him and he’s qualified for the handicaps in Cheltenham.
“We’ll freshen him up and probably go for either the Martin Pipe or the Coral Cup as he’d want a trip.”
Despite Doctor Du Mesnil’s defeat, Willie Mullins and Paul Townend still teamed up to complete a short-priced double on the card.
Leader d’Allier, who won five bumpers in France before finishing second on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown last month, comfortably landed odds of 1-4 in the Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Series Maiden Hurdle, while 8-11 shot Blue Velvet was made to work harder before ultimately getting the job done in the Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Series Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Townend said: “Leader d’Allier had good bumper form in France and we were a bit disappointed with him in Leopardstown, but he seems to have stepped forward from that run.
“A lot of ours are stepping forward from Christmas. I liked the way he settled and he took a good while to pull up. He jumped brilliant the whole way and with a run under his belt we were able to use that a bit more today.
“Blue Velvet is tough and hardy and stays well. She jumped well and has improved from the last day.”
Connections of Sopelana are also dreaming of a trip to Cheltenham following her 8-1 success in the Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Hurdle under 7lb claimer Kevin Healy.
Trainer Cian Collins said: “She loves the heavy ground and it’s great get another win out of her. She did it very well and Kevin is great value for the 7lb.
“She might sneak into the Fred Winter (Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle) now. We might look at that and if the ground came up soft at Cheltenham, you wouldn’t know what might happen.”
Spinningyarn (2-1) landed the Matchbook Betting Exchange Rated Novice Hurdle for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy, who said: “He looks to be going in the right direction. It was fairly straightforward today – he jumped and has done it well.
“He’ll be suited by going further and also getting a lead would probably help him as well. Hopefully there is more to come from him.”
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