Stuart Crawford recorded his fifth winner of 2014, and his seventh since Christmas, as Aibrean justified favouritism by taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase under Paul Carberry.

Having opened at 5/2 with Paddy Power this morning, the ten-year-old came in for plenty of support, and she was backed on-course from 2/1 to clear 7/4 favourite at the off.

After finishing a good sixth to Jennies Jewel in a competitive handicap hurdle at Navan on her last start, the bay mare was sent back over fences this afternoon, after finishing second over them on her last attempt at Carlisle in March.

Settled towards the rear of mid-division, the victorious daughter of Winged Love took closer order from six out, and she travelled well just behind the leaders as they entered the straight.

Having jumped the second last in a share of the lead, she travelled best before the last, jumping to the front there before going on to score comfortably by three lengths at the line. Blazing Sonnet finished in second at 9/2 under Andrew Leigh for Willie Austin, while Back In A Tic was a further length back in third under Paul Townend for Colin Kidd at 11/2.

Crawford, who recorded a double at Musselburgh on New Years Day, and another the following day at Ayr, said afterwards: "She will probably like a bit better ground and a longer trip.

"Her family is all staying pedigrees. She had to stay well enough there.

"Her jumping is good and she was always getting a breather at her fences. She was passing horses and Paul was able to sit and take a hold.

"It is good to get her back and get a good run over fences. She needs that kind of track and the plan is to run her until the end of the season and then cover her.

"Patricia (owner Patricia Duffin) bred her and she is half-sister to Fine Rightly so it is great for the family.

"She will probably go to Thurles (for the Grade 2 Mares Novice Chase on January 16th) next if she comes out of this okay.

"She is in good form and she hasn’t had a lot of racing."

STEWARDS REPORT

R. Walsh, rider of Chiltern Hills trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount made a respiratory noise in running and was pulled up.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Chiltern Hills, trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be Post Race Normal.

K.C. Sexton, rider of Floradive trained by Arthur Goulding, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount slipped jumping off at the start of this race and lost her action behind and was pulled up

Additional reporting by Gary Carson