Chasing Unicorn and Steven Crawford (on the rail) © Photo Healy Racing
There was an upset in the Lawlors Hotel Naas Pro-Am INH Flat Race as 25/1 newcomer Chasing Unicorn scored for trainer Stuart Crawford and his brother Steven.
Always close to the pace, the 36,000 Euros Land Rover Sale graduate struck the front on the run to the final turn and battled on well to beat the staying-on Intent Approach by a length and three quarters with Full Metal Jacket another two lengths away in third.
Former Flat apprentice Crawford, for whom it was a first winner since he returned to race-riding after an interval of several years, said: "He's a smashing horse. By Milan out of a Flemensfirth mare, he's a half-brother to a three-mile winner. He has a load of stamina.
“He liked the ground but I think he'll handle softer ground.
“I've said all week, to win a bumper here you have to be a graded horse and I'm pretty sure he is.
“There is a wee bit left there too, he was idling a bit and just doing it too easy. He's a proper horse for next year.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
