Jessica Harrington views Badgerlaw as an exciting prospect over fences, and the 6yo will now go chasing after landing the featured 2m4f Edmond Whelan Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
The Accordion gelding struck the front with a bold leap at the final hurdle but still needed a powerful ride from Barry Geraghty to hold off Mustangsallyrally and Hot Port by a head and 1/2L.
'I hope he'll be the real thing over fences but we decided to go for this race as he missed out on some schooling due to the dry spell this month.'
'He does jump well as he did some schooling last season,' said Mrs Harrington, who has now sent out six winners since last Sunday.
Drunken Disorderly surprised connections by overcoming an absence of 524 days to take the two miles and a furlong Guinness Surge Novice Chase.
The Charlie Swan-trained seven-year-old gelding was set alight by Davy Russell in the straight and came clear to beat Tedeen by nine lengths.
'He's a bit finicky to eat as he can go off his grub for a few days after you work him. Obviously he doesn't need much work and jumped well for his first time over fences,' said Swan.
He added, 'He beat the likes of Iktitaf and Jazz Messenger over hurdles for David Wachman but has been off with some leg trouble and joined me just over three months ago.'
'We always thought he would need two and a half miles and he could go for the Grade 3 Like-A-Butterfly Novice Chase at Tipperary in two weeks although that may come a bit soon.'
Regalline has proved a frustrating sort to follow this season but finally got her head in front under a beautifully judged ride by Chris Geoghegan in the fillies mile maiden.
Lady O'Reilly's home-bred, well-backed from 5/2 to 6/4 favourite, made smooth headway in the straight before being produced to head Out Of Nothing in literally the final stride.
Amy Parsons gained compensation for the narrow defeat of Out Of Nothing when partnering her 13th winner aboard Maundy Money in the seven furlongs handicap.
The David Marnane-trained gelding led inside the final furlong to beat front-running Carlowsantana by 2L, while the gambled-on Jalandy (25/1-7/1) lost any chance when very slowly away from stalls.
'I'm delighted as he's had some cracking runs and is owned by a good bunch of local lads including some I went to school with at Rockwell College. Amy suited him and gave him a good ride,' said Marnane.
There was another very popular success in the maiden hurdle where the locally owned Tom Doodle led after two out for Ruby Walsh to beat Powerberry by 1 3/4L.
Further glory for the kingdom came in the opportunity handicap hurdle as Do You Follow Me, trained in Tralee by Tom Cooper, just held off Erra Go On by a neck.
Thomond O'Mara is currently away in the States looking for future talent at the Keeneland Sales but Waitingforanalibi helped pay for some of the expenses when taking the mile handicap in fine style.
Philip Carberry was always confident on the 10/1 chance, leading just inside the final furlong for a cosy length and a quarter verdict over Luttrell Lady.
Cool Reply, owned and ridden by Barry Connell, beat fellow newcomer Western Gale by a length in the bumper.
Alan Magee
