Crawford and Kelly on the mark at Hexham Stuart Crawford recorded a double at Hexham this afternoon while Noel Kelly was also on the mark at the north-eastern venue. Kelly, who trains in Co Derry, took the opening Great Run Org Selling Hurdle with Mighty Whitey who was ridden by Robbie Dunne. The eight-year-old gelding finished down the field on the level behind Seismic at Tramore last Saturday and back over hurdles this afternoon he was sent off at 7/2. Having led from the fifth he was clear before the straight and while he was strongly challenged on the run-in by Air Chief (formerly trained by Eric McNamara) he just hung on to win by a nose. Stuart Crawford saddled three of the nine for the Junior North Run Novices’ Chase and it was his Man With Van who came out on top under Richard Johnson. The son of Milan was sent off the 10/11 favourite having won on his second start over fences at Perth last month. Held up towards the rear in the early stages the eight-year-old gelding hit the front after the second last, and while he was pressed on the run-in he dug deep to prevail by half a length. Vayland completed the double for Crawford in the bumper and he was also partnered by Richard Johnson. This five-year-old son of Generous was available at 3/1 in the morning, but he opened on-course at just 6/4 before being backed into evens favourite at the off. The market confidence was justified out on the track as the chestnut gelding went to the front two furlongs out and he was clear with a furlong left to race, going on to score easily by twenty-six lengths.
