Daylight between Badgerfort and his rivals in Cork© Photo Healy Racing
Badgerfort confirmed the promise first shown in the Land Rover bumper a year ago as he hacked up in Cork’s concluding bumper over two miles three furlongs.
Kevin Power, sporting the JP McManus silks, had his charge on the heels of the leaders coming into the home straight. The pair sliced through to be upsides New World and then quickened away in the last quarter of a mile to win by 12 lengths at 4/1.
In-form handler Philip Fenton said: “He’s a nice horse. He had a great run 12 months ago in the Land Rover. He didn’t jump too well in his two runs over hurdles. He probably needs to improve with his jumping, but we’ll put him away now.”
Keith Clarke’s New World won the race for second at 16/1. He was a length and a half in front of champion flat trainer Aidan O’Brien’s representative King Leon (16/1).
Badgerfort was fourth and fifth in maiden hurdles in Naas and Navan respectively this season.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
