Theatre makes all under McKeown

The Stuart Crawford trained Elusive Theatre made all as she ran out an easy winner of the bumper at Navan, the Boardsmill Sires EBF Mares Flat Race.

Formerly trained by Gary Aherne, she won a point-to-point for him on her third start at Ballingarry in May of last year.

She was then sold to the Crawfords for E47,000 at Tattersalls in June.

Sent off a 9/2 chance today she went straight to the front and held a health advantage throughout under Jason McKeown.

She extended that advantage on the approach to the straight, keeping on well to score easily by thirteen lengths in the colours of owner David Gordon Roberts. Socksy was sent off the 11/8 favourite and she finished second under Jane Mangan for her father Jimmy.

Dixie Lee, who was installed the 5/2 market leader last night, was a non-runner due to the change in going.

Stuart Crawford said afterwards: "I was in two minds whether to run her or not. Jason gave her a good enterprising ride. She stayed three miles well in a point-to-point, and he put that to good use.

"I was going to put her over hurdles but we may think about the Listed mares bumper at Punchestown now."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee