Connection scores for Crawfords Latin Connection ran out a convincing winner of the Tayto Group Handicap Hurdle at Down Royal defying a starting price of 20/1. Ben Crawford, riding for trainer brother Stuart, sent his mount into the lead at the third last and he had his rivals struggling at the next. The top weight was asked for an effort at the final flight and was always in control on the run-in. He went on to post a five-length winning margin over 3/1 favourite Great Oak. It was a local success for the Larne-based Crawford brothers. The winner had been well held last time at Perth but had been slipping down the handicap. "He's been threatening to run a big race for a while," said Stuart Crawford. "He doesn't find a lot off the bridle and has been held up in his races but I said to Ben to try and get to the front half a mile out today. "He had a string of second places last season. The ground was softer than ideal. He's run plenty of times but is only six and we'll probably go over fences now." The winner is owned by the Aberdeen based Pircan Partnership and Crawford added:- "It's the only horse they have with us but it's worked out well and he's run a lot in the north of England and in Scotland." Winning rider Ben Crawford commented:- "He travelled very easily into the race, jumped the last well and won nicely." There were a few horses backed in the race. Sole Witness (20/1 in morning) was backed from 12/1 into 9/1 on course and finished eighth. Special Bar was backed from 8/1 into 5/1 but was well back in 18th while Street Runner (10/1 in morning returned 5/1) was sixth. (Additional reporting by Michael Graham)
