Southern France rewards favourite backers© Photo Healy Racing
Southern France the 5/2 favourite, was too good for the opposition in the Group Three Irish St Leger Trial.
Ryan Moore sent him after Master Of Reality approaching the final quarter of a mile and his mount overwhelmed the leader at the furlong pole.
He galloped home by two lengths from a staying-on Downdraft (11/2).
“It just takes a bit of time to get those older horses fit. He gets the trip well,” Aidan O'Brien said.
“Seamus (Heffernan) said Capri (in fourth) isn't fit yet but we've a month now to go and we'll start leaning on him a little bit harder.
“The two of them will come back here for the Irish Leger.”
The last two winners of this trial have gone on to land the Irish St Leger - Flag Of Honour in 2018 and Order Of St George in 2017.
Paddy Power cut Southern France from 25/1 to 14/1 for the Long Distance Cup.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
