Papa's shows the Way

Steven Crawford made it three winners in just over a week when getting Papa’s Way up in the closing stages to take the amateur rider’s handicap.

The Paul Deegan-trained gelding got up near the line to land a maiden here over an extended ten furlongs last Friday, and this step up to a mile and a half was certainly in his favour.

Crawford, who rode a double for his brother Stuart at Ayr last week, had a far from easy time on the four-year-old who was fizzy going to the start and also unseated him when pulling up after the race.

The easy-to-back 8/1 chance got a strong drive to deny the front-running First Friday by three quarters of a length, while 7/4 favourite Carried held every chance but could find no extra in the final 100 yards to finish another half-length back in third.

Deegan said, “He’s obviously learned a lot. The cheek-pieces were a help and Steven gave him a great ride.

“He’s been schooling over hurdles all week and seems a natural at that. He might come back here in a few weeks’ time or go for a hurdle. He’s always showed a bit. I’m delighted for the owner (Rosha Lyttle) as it’s her first horse.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson