B L shows plenty of Swagger

B L Swagger confirmed the promise of a course and distance second last month when again adopting front-running tactics in the bumper at Clonmel.

Mikey Fogarty was again on board the Saddlers’ Hall gelding, and the uneasy 11/4 joint favourite took control early in the straight.

The five-year-old kept on strongly to beat newcomer Truth Be Told (14/1), who showed signs of greenness, by six lengths. Anger Management (7/1) was nearly five lengths further back in third, with the other 11/4 joint favourite Fromdollarstoeuros in fourth.

Winning trainer Mags Mullins said, “That’s great for Peter (Magnier, part owner). He’s a nice horse and he’ll make a really nice chaser. We’ll tip around over hurdles with him now, and go chasing with him next season. He’s a lovely genuine horse.”

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy