Flier short price to score for Crawford at Ayr Larne handler Stuart Crawford travels over to Ayr today with three runners and The Flier Begley looks his best chance of a winner on the card. The Shirocco gelding has been knocking on the door on home soil in recent weeks and is a short price, generally 5/6, to get his head in front in the Virgin Bet Maiden Hurdle. It looks an easier opportunity for the seven-year-old who was fourth on his hurdling debut at Navan last month. He had previously been runner-up in two strong bumpers, most notably behind Sandor Clegane at Punchestown. Interestingly his jockey Sam Ewing is able to claim 3lb in Britain. Crawford also saddles two newcomers in the concluding bumper on the card. Conduit mare El Poppochapo also carries the trainer's own colours and is currently around a 4/1 shot. She is out of an unraced half-sister to Grade 3 winner Perfect Candidate. Brian Hughes rides. Crawford also runs Flemensfirth mare One Cool Lady, who is out of a winning full-sister to One Cool Cookie and In Compliance. She can be backed at 6/1 and Ewing gets the leg up.
