DESPITE significant rainfall in the lead-up, the seaside venue of Tyrella provided almost perfect underfoot conditions, as the Crawford brothers continued their rich vein of form.
Following a double at Down Royal five days earlier, including Ben Crawford’s 125/1 winner Green Hope, it was Stuart Crawford who was responsible for another double on the day.
The five-year-old geldings’ contest saw Largy Silver (4/1) lead home stablemate Wings Of Ayrton to complete a stable one-two.
Both were prominent throughout, jumping and travelling smartly before engaging in a thrilling battle down to the final obstacle, where the Stephen Connor-ridden Largy Silver put in a slightly slicker jump to prevail by a length in the silks of Largy Bloodstock.
Raymond Scullion commented: “We’re delighted with the result, it’s a credit to Ben Crawford and his team, including Stephen, who gave him a brilliant ride.
“There’s plenty left in him, and whatever he did today, he’ll improve for the outing. He’s a very exciting horse for the future and will now be offered for sale.
“He’s a homebred; we’ve had great luck with the family. We also have a half-brother at home, a three-year-old by Shirocco.”
Ben Crawford added: “We felt we had two very promising horses coming here and, ideally, would have preferred not to run them against each other. However, we couldn’t have asked for a better result, finishing first and second.
“They had shown plenty at home, and I’m delighted they delivered. Hopefully, they can go on to add further wins on the track.”
Deadly trio
The second leg of the Crawford, Connor and Largy Bloodstock double came via Carnfunnock (15/8 - 11/10 favourite), who defeated Conflated by six lengths in a visually striking performance to win the open.
The nine-year-old son of Getaway had more than 10 lengths to make up from the penultimate fence on the dual Grade 1 and Irish Gold Cup winner, who had already gained first run increasing the pace into the straight.
Yet under a composed Stephen Connor, Carnfunnock closed on his rival effortlessly and jumped the last like a fresh horse, to score with ease.
“I think that was his best performance to date,” Connor remarked. “We went a strong gallop early on, and he was maybe a fraction behind the bridle, but he really came alive on the last circuit and travelled into the race with ease.
“He was a pleasure to ride. The main aim is Cheltenham now, but whether he has another run in the meantime is up to Stuart.”
Sales-bound
The five-year-old mares’ maiden saw the long journey from Wexford pay off for the Grace Kelly and Bridge Stables Partnership, as Another Classic (6/1 - 5/1) delivered on only her second start, having finished fifth on her debut at Tattersalls in October.
The daughter of Shantaram took a notable step forward, tracking the leaders and jumping with professionalism.
She displayed a smart turn of foot into the straight and battled resolutely to the final obstacle before drawing clear of favourite Sky Blue Ribbon to win comfortably by three and a half lengths.
“I’m delighted with her; she was tough to the line and jumped brilliantly,” Michael Sweeney, representing the winning connections, said.
“She had been working well at home, so we expected that sort of performance. I fancied her a lot today. She’ll now head to the sales.
“We bought her locally in Blackwater, Wexford, straight out of the field from her breeder, the McGuinness family.
“She has a very nice pedigree, and hopefully she’ll be successful for her new connections.”
SAM Curling continues his excellent season as he bids to add a first champion handlers title to his CV, and Time In A Bottle (1/2 - 4/5 favourite) proved a smart acquisition in that quest, as she landed the older mares’ maiden.
The 102-rated hurdler, who was placed four-times under rules for Henry de Bromhead was acquired for €30,000 from Goffs in December.
The John O’Leary-owned six-year-old daughter of Castle Du Berlais produced a pillar-to-post victory in the hands of David Doyle, winning by a decisive seven and a half lengths and justifying favouritism over Romantic Getaway.
Well deserved
The older geldings’ maiden went the way of the David Christie-trained West Of Idaho (11/4 - 9/2), who got a well deserved victory after being sent off favourite on his previous four starts for owner Ray Nicholas.
He had been unfortunate on a couple of occasions, crashing out at the business end while holding every chance, but here he produced a smart round of jumping under Barry O’Neill and stayed on gamely to fend off the challenge of Tony The Pony, prevailing by a length and a quarter.
David Christie Jr commented: “That was deserved! He’s been very unlucky, coming down twice when holding every chance of winning, so it was great to get off the mark today. We’ve always liked him, so hopefully he can add to that in winners’ company.”
HEARTS And Spades (3/1 - 2/1) continued his upward trajectory in the winners-of-three for the Ian McCarthy stable.
Owned by Nicki McCarthy, the striking seven-year-old son of Maxios caught the eye in the preliminaries before recording a fourth consecutive victory.
Settled at the rear, he was given a confident waiting ride by regular partner Eoin Mahon and began making ground approaching the second-last.
From there, he cruised around the outside of his rivals, winged the final fence, and came home comfortably, emphatically stamping his authority on the contest and beating by four lengths.
“I’m delighted with that performance,” Ian McCarthy said. “He’s a big horse with plenty of ability. We’ve spent this season teaching him to race properly, switching him off out the back.
“He wasn’t really in the race until the third last, and then he put it to bed with ease. He’s very exciting for the future. He does have a mark on the track, but for now, the plan is to keep him in the point-to-point field.”
Horse to follow
Wings Of Ayrton (S.R.B. Crawford): a €10,000 Goffs purchase, he lost little in defeat on debut, producing a polished display. He jumped and travelled smoothly throughout; however, a slight peck at the final obstacle possibly proved costly.