First-time blinkers worked the oracle as Badgerlaw (7-2) lifted the feature Imperial Call Chase at Cork.

Jessica Harrington's nine-year-old, fifth in the Midlands National on his previous start, was a smooth winner in the hands of Andrew Leigh.< Baltiman led until the second-last where Badgerlaw hit the front and went on to score by four lengths from Gripit N Tipit with Dante Hall third.

"The blinkers definitely helped here today. He just didn't get home in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter," said Harrington's assistant Eamon Leigh, father of the winning rider.

"He's an absolute gentleman of a horse to train and he'll go to Punchestown next."< Jafra (8-1) 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 to beat Hans Crescent by five lengths.

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.

"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 (4-1) followed up a recent course win with a hard-fought success by half a length over Duartin in the Charleville Handicap Hurdle.

"He did that well, we will stick to hurdles for the summer and then will hopefully bring him over fences in the autumn," said trainer Tom 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.

"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 trainer Edward Stanners.

end

end

end

end

© www.irish-racing.com