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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Southern France stamps his class on Leger trial

Fri 16th Aug 2019, 18:46

Southern France rewards favourite backersSouthern 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

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.