Crawford has high hopes for Curious Times Stuart Crawford is planning a campaign over fences next season for Down Royal maiden hurdle winner Curious Times. The six-year-old gelding missed his intended outing in a handicap hurdle at Naas last weekend because of a stone bruise — but may not be resting on his laurels too long. Crawford said: “We’ll get him out soon for a bit more education — he could get a run or two in handicap hurdles. “I’m looking forward to fences next season with him. He has always shown plenty of ability.” Crawford believes his charge Curious Times has the physical attributes for jumping fences, adding: “He has developed into a big, rangy horse. “He pulled nicely clear (with the runner-up) of the rest in Down Royal, and I don’t think there was anything flukey about it. “Gordon’s (Elliott) mare (Black Tears) has come out and won since to frank the form.” Cheap purchase Wheesht delivered on debut for Crawford at Farmaclaffley point-to-point. The Scorpion mare was picked up for 4,200 euro at Tattersalls but showed plenty of nous when forging two and a half lengths clear on the run-in under Jamie Codd last weekend. Crawford said of the five-year-old: “She’s a nice type and she has a bit of size and scope about her. “We planned to start her off in a bumper but she jumped that well (at home) that we went for a point-to-point. “She’s likely to be sold to race in different colours next time.”
