Van is the Man for Crawfords Steven Crawford, who rode out his claim at Leopardstown last Saturday aboard Mister Nibbles, successfully teamed up again with his brother Stuart seven days later as Man With Van justified good support in the 2m4f rated hurdle at Fairyhouse. The Milan eight-year-old was available at 7/2 this morning and supported on track from 11/4 into 9/4 favourite. Crawford’s mount came under pressure approaching the last and looked booked for third spot as Seriatim and Owennacurra Milan battled it out in front. However the ‘jolly’ dug deep on the run-in, and stayed on best to get up in the closing stages. He had a length and a half to spare over Seriatim, whose rider Ger Fox lost his whip just after the last, while Owennacurra Milan was a further neck back in third. The Pounds appeared to be travelling strongly when falling three out, and the winner was a shade fortunate not to be brought down at this point tracking Tom Foley’s charge. Stuart Crawford said, “There were a few unknowns coming here, the heavy ground and the fact that he’d only won a maiden hurdle. I’m thrilled especially as he was badly hampered by the faller three out. "He might be eight but he’s really like a big, green five-year-old and he should keep improving. We have no concrete plans but he’ll stay over hurdles this season, and we might look for a race across the water in six to eight weeks. He’s a real chaser in the making." Additional reporting by Gary Carson
