Saint Le Fort strikes in valuable Leopardstown handicap hurdle

Saint Le Fort got up close home to nail Savante on the line in the Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle.

Small Town Hero pulled the field along but as they turned into the home straight he was treading water and Savante and the Philip Fenton-trained Saint Le Fort took up the challenge.

Savante opened a two-length gap going over the final flight but Saint Le Fort (10-1) would not give in and laid down his challenge on the inside rail to win by a head in the hands of 5lb claimer Niall Moore.

“When he took it up I was thinking ‘are we there too soon?’,” said Fenton.

“Niall knew what he was doing. He took the bull by the horns and it worked out. He’s in with me six days a week and is a great chap. He had to get down to 9st 9lb so that would be tough going. He wouldn’t have had much to eat over the last three or four days.

“He was adamant he’d do the weight, so fair dues to him for pulling it off.

“The extra half-mile was a big help to him and this was the plan.”

Gordon Elliott’s Jacob’s Ladder was an impressive winner of the Barberstown Castle Handicap Chase under Jack Kennedy.

The Listed event featured 14 runners, of which the winner was the 2-1 favourite and duly travelled with plenty of confidence to come home five lengths ahead of stablemate Golden Joy.

“We were very happy with his run in Punchestown the last day,” said Elliott.

“I was a bit worried about the ground being so soft, but I’m happy, it was a good performance.

“I was happy the whole way, he looked comfortable the whole way. Jack got him in a lovely rhythm.

“I’d imagine he’ll go straight now for a handicap at Cheltenham, all being well.”