Charles Fort wins readily under Cleary Ballydoyle-trained Charles Fort readily justified 11/8 favouritism in the Coolmore Stud Gleneagles Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden at Cork. Aidan O’Brien’s 85-rated juvenile, placed on his first two starts before finishing fourth at Gowran Park last week, broke well and made all the running in the hands of Jack Cleary. The son of St Marks Basilica went away from market rival Strike Zone inside the final quarter-mile and came home four lengths clear of that one with the rest of his nine rivals well strung out in behind. The going description was changed to soft after this race. Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong said: "He showed plenty of speed at Gowran the last day and in fairness to Wayne (Lordan), the first thing he said afterwards was he'd have no trouble dropping back to six (furlongs). This race just presented itself at the right time and he came through the last run well. "Jack gave him a lovely ride, he jumped fierce quick and he set lovely fractions. He had them all off the bridle two (furlongs) out. "He had a nice run first time out in Fairyhouse and will go back there in a few weeks for the Blenheim Stakes. At today's trip, he should be a stakes horse in the making and is another nice winner for the sire." He added "I'm sure if Aidan can find Jack a ride this weekend he'll be there, as at the moment he is the best value for a 5lb claim in Ireland. He does everything right, gives good feedback and gives them lovely rides." "At the moment we are taking it one day as it comes with our jockeys and declarations are made tomorrow for Saturday (Leopardstown). We'll have to see what way the handicaps work out and while Light As Air is in the Petingo, he only has 8st7lb for it would be too light for Jack to ride and we don't have much more in handicaps." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
