Fervent springs a surprise on debut for Crawford The concluding second divide of the Racing Again Next Friday Handicap was dominated by Fervent, with this Stuart Crawford-trained three-year-old making all under Seamie Heffernan. Previously in the care of Adrian McGuinness and starting off for Crawford on what was his handicap debut, the 56-rated bay was returned at 25/1. Ridden from the two-furlong pole, the Elzaam three-year-old only needed to be kept up to his work in the closing stages, as he eased to a length-and-a-quarter win in the colours of Gary Devlin, Kevin Osborne and Joseph McCrory. A fellow handicap debutant, Cuckaloo Hill (14/1 from 20s) filled the runner-up spot under Chris Hayes for Paul Nolan, while Carvalhal (11/2) and Chopsticks were third and fourth respectively, with the latter returned the 3/1 favourite. "He used to run with his head up. He's now on a sand gallop I think with bungees and making a different shape," Heffernan revealed. "He's done things right today." STEWARDS REPORTS * L.F. Roche, rider of Prom Queen, trained by Anthony McCann, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung severely left throughout. * S. Foley, rider of Chopsticks, trained by John C. McConnell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount wasn't able to sprint in the straight. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
