Legacy Thor dominates from the front

Legacy Thor made all in division one of the two and a half mile maiden hurdle in Navan to post a ready victory for northern trainer Stuart Crawford.

The six-year-old Gold Well gelding was tracked by Minella Escape but that rival came under the pump racing between the final two hurdles. Legacy Thor was still swinging away at the head of affairs for the trainer's brother Ben Crawford.

The main protagonists raced wide apart at the last and Legacy Thor jumped it well as he kept on under hands and heels to put away the runner-up by four and a half lengths.

He attracted plenty of support, after drifting out to 14/1, as he was returned at 8/1. Minella Escape in second was a 10/3 chance. Salt Wind (14/1) was another four lengths away in third. Grangeclare Native the well backed 5/4 favourite, couldn't land a blow outside the places in fourth.

Ben Crawford said: “It was out of the blue the last day [when he whipped around at the start in Fairyhouse and refused to race] and we thought it might be a bit soft for him today.

"After what happened last week we wanted to get him out as quick as possible to try and put a line through that. There was a bit of delay at the start at Fairyhouse and he got a bit flustered by the whole thing.

“He gives you everything he has. His jumping held together well today and he got a bit of peace in front. Across the bottom I was trying to get a breather into him and when I turned in I had a lot of horse and no real competition.”

Legacy Thor's other career success came in a Down Royal bumper in May last year.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee