Racing: Badgerlaw, galvanised by wearing blinkers for the first time, took the feature Imperial Call Chase at Cork. Fifth in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter on his previous start, Jessica Harrington's charge ran out a cosy winner in the hands of Andrew Leigh.
Baltiman took the eight runners along and he led until two from home where Badgerlaw struck the front.
The nine-year-old steadily pulled away to win by four lengths from Gripit N Tipit, with Dante Hall third.
Leigh’s father Eamon, assistant trainer to Harrington, said: “The blinkers definitely helped here today. He just didn’t get home at Uttoxeter. He’s an absolute gentleman of a horse to train and he’ll go to Punchestown next.”
Jafra made up for a recent fall at Navan as he ran out a ready winner of the Buttevant Maiden Hurdle.
The Eric McNamara-trained four-year-old was produced to perfection by Robbie Power approaching the second-last flight, and soon skipped clear.
Sent off at 8-1, he pinged the last and was not hard pressed to come home five lengths clear of Hans Crescent.
McNamara said: “He did it very well, after three or four runs over hurdles the experience really stood him in good stead as he jumped brilliantly throughout. Robert gave him a super ride, he was really positive on him.
“We will see what the handicapper does now and probably go for a handicap hurdle with him and we will keep him going throughout the summer.”
Bar The Rest followed up a recent course win with a hard-fought success in the Charleville Handicap Hurdle.
Stephen Gray kicked on after the fourth last and the 4-1 chance, trained by Tom Nagle, was pushed hard by Duartin from two but would not be denied and hung on by half a length.
“He did that well, we will stick to hurdles for the summer and then will hopefully bring him over fences in the autumn,” said Nagle.
Maid Of Malabar (8-1), runner-up over the course and distance on her previous start, went one better in the Killetra (Mares) Maiden Hurdle.
Kevin Coleman pushed the Edward Stanners-trained mare into the lead before the home turn and she kept on gamely to beat the staying-on Moonlight Sapphire by a length and a half.
“I was actually a bit worried about the ground, she won her bumper on good ground but she seemed to get through it OK,” said Stanners. “We will keep her on the go for the summer and she’ll be a better mare on better ground.”