Stuart Crawford has nearby Larne port to thank for his numerous British successes, but the cancellation of yesterday's ferry worked to the trainer's advantage as his Glenquest landed the Navan Race Membership Club Now Available Handicap Hurdle at Navan today.

The eleven year old son of Turtle Island was having just his second start for Crawford and having finished second at Down Royal on his previous start, went one place better today, under Barry Geraghty, staying on well for a three lengths win over Moreece

The winner was also justifying strong market support (10/1 in the morning in to 11/2) while Geraghty was on board, having replaced Andrew Lynch who had his 'insufficient effort' on November 8 appeal heard partially upheld (reduced to three days) but suspended today.

Following the win Crawford, revealed “he was to go to Haydock yesterday but was unable to travel due to the weather!

“He ran well on his first run for us at Down Royal and was dropping back to two miles but the conditions were more testing and so is this track.

“He has an entry in the Welsh National but may not have a high enough rating to get into that."

The winning Coolglen Syndicate are made up of members of the Kennelly family from Araglen, Co. Cork.

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee