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In-form Crawford eyeing another Down Royal prize

Stuart CrawfordStuart Crawford
© Photo Healy Racing

Fresh from a double on Friday afternoon, Stuart Crawford goes in search of further Down Royal success with Curious Times in the Charles Hurst DS Handicap Hurdle.

The Larne handler has his horses in fine form at present, winning with Gold Cup Bailly at Wexford on Sunday last and Holmes St Georges at Musselburgh on Wednesday.

A nine-year-old son of Shantou, Curious Times has a course and distance win to his name and returned to form by winning at Perth on his penultimate start.

He since disappointed at Punchestown and will need to produce a career best effort if he is to claim this Grade B contest under Danny Mullins.

"He probably doesn't want it to get too soft," Crawford said.

"It would be great if he could run a big race, he would be well capable of it.

"He has won around here and has a nice weight.

"He'll go and have a go on it and see how we get on, he has to try anyway."

Crawford also saddles another four runners on the card, while he is represented by interesting newcomer Paddy Elvis in the bumper at Aintree.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham

About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.