LARNE trainer Stuart Crawford recorded an amazing four winners at Ayr on Tuesday (November 29), with the first trio all owned by football agents, Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
Crawford said: “It’s been a brilliant day and to have a treble for Simon and Isaac, who are long-time supporters, the same with Raymond and Martin. The ground was perfect and all four are very nice prospects going forward.”
He added: “I’d never even had a treble before, so to do this is fabulous and it’s thanks to all my hard-working staff. I was quite hopeful that the first three would win, but ‘Largy Valley’ was a little unexpected and that was the icing on the cake. I like sending runners to Ayr – it’s almost our closest track by road, although it’s across an expanse of water – and this is a special day.”
The local handler claimed the opening Novice Hurdle with ‘Largy Shark’, which led before the last and went clear to beat runner up ‘Gaillimh A Stor’, partnered by Downpatrick rider Danny McMenamin. The very strongly supported ‘Carnfunnock’ was sent off 1/5 favourite and duly won the third race by an extending six lengths, while ‘Gold Cup Bailey’ made all the running to land the Novice Handicap Chase in great style and the three winners partnered by retained jockey, Daryl Jacob. The high profile owners have horses with numerous trainers in Britain and Ireland.
Amateur rider Stephen Connor, who works at the Crawford’s Newlands Farm Stables was aboard ‘Largy Valley’, owned by local duo, Raymond Scullion and Martin McGrogan, which despite being very green in the closing stages, battled best to land the finale, providing Crawford with a great day and his first four-timer on the racecourse and punters who follow the local yard saw a 313/1 return on their bet of four winners.
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