Fort proves strongest for Fenton Saint Le Fort stayed on stoutly in the closing stages to get off the mark in the Voodoo Rooms Maiden Hurdle at Cork. The Philip Fenton-trained gelding came into the race having been placed on his last three outings and went to post a 3/1 shot. He disputing from the fifth last, under Brian Hayes, but came under pressure jumping the third from home and was narrowly headed by St Cuthbert’s Cave. The French-bred stuck to his task well though, gaining the advantage before the final flight and keeping on well in the closing stages to post a length-and-a-quarter win over Bright Legend. Fenton said:- “At Clonmel the last day, for some reason, he didn’t handle the heavy ground and while he ran well in Limerick (previously) on heavy, but it was maybe looser. “In Clonmel we were disappointed because he was well beaten. “The ground made a big difference to him and he jumped much better. Today he seemed to excel over the two-and-a-half (miles). “From day one he was a good jumper but the last day he left it behind him a bit as he was sloppy at some of the jumps. “He’s a light-framed horse, so we can’t overdo it, so his next run could be a month away, but it looks as if he’s going to be okay.” (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
