Stuart Crawford was delighted to see The Flier Begley get off the mark in the beginners' chase at Down Royal.

He picked up the lead at the third fence of this extended two mile three furlong contest. He moved clear at the fifth and travelled well for Ben Bromley three out.

The eight-year-old gelding was joined by Heather Rocco after two out but regained the lead inside the final furlong. He kept on best to prevail by three parts of a length at 5/1.

Heather Rocco had to settle for second at 9/2. The Friday Man (4/7f) kept on at one pace back in third.

Crawford said: "I've always thought this horse was well above average. Nearly every race he has run in, the form has worked out.

"He has been very, very unlucky a time or two and should have won here one day when he lost it at the line to Noel Meade's horse who has gone on to be a decent handicapper.

"Fences will really be that horse's job.

"He went on a nice gallop, he was going to make them honest in behind. Ultimately he was just too good a horse for what was behind him.

"I think he could be a graded horse over fences.

"Plans are fluid but I will concentrate over fences now with him. He will just probably need a bit more experience. He has not had much experience really - he's had two runs in point-to-points, one run in a hunters chase and that today.

"I imagine later on in the year he will hopefully be fit to go into some of the decent novice races. Whether he gets a wee bit of handicap experience over the summer, we'll see."