Well supported Man With Van delivers in style for Crawford brothers

The Crawford brothers, Stuart and Stephen, struck on the double with Man With Van and debutante Twentrtytwo’s Taken in Down Royal yesterday.

An eye-catcher behind Sizing Tennessee at Navan recently, Man With Ivan was strongly supported into 6/4 favouritism for the INH Stallion owners Maiden Hurdle and delivered in style, beating Der Kaiser by five and a half lengths despite wandering in the closing stages.

The Crawfords, one of the most astute operators in the north, were back in the winner’s enclosure after the bumper, following the emphatic, ten lengths victory of the Kings Theatre mare Twnetytwo’s Taken in the Barclay Communications Pro-Am Flat Race.

But the equine hero of the day was undoubtedly the Enda Bolger-trained On The Fringe which, having his first run since the 2012 Punchestown Festival, upstaged Tammys Hill and Salsify in the Albert Bartlett Hunters Chase.

Three lengths was the winning margin for Nina Carberry’s mount and his delighted trainer Enda Bolger stated: “He fractured a bone in his hock last year and has done well to win, having been off since Punchestown in 2012. He’s always been a good horse, if a bit brittle, and his jumping is fantastic. All being well, he’ll head to Leopardstown in February and on to Cheltenham for the Foxhunters.”

Connections of Fahamore were in trouble with the stewards after officials inquired into the running and riding of the six-year-old in the Irish Stallions Farms European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase.

Held up in the early stages, the Niall Madden-ridden gelding finished fourth, beaten 19 and a half lengths by winner Leish Oscar.

The stewards heard evidence from Madden and trainer Edward Harty, and also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer who stated that Fahamore was post-race normal.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the stewards were of the opinion that Harty and Madden were in breach of Rule 212, fining the trainer €1,000 and suspending Madden for seven race days, while he was also ordered to forfeit his riding fee. The JP McManus-owned Fahamore was suspended from running for 42 days.