Lord Windermere overcame bad luck in running to open his account over fences in the Ballymaloe Country Relish Beginners Chase at Leopardstown.

Jim Culloty's charge was squeezed for room on the turn for home and had to be switched to the far rail by jockey Tom Doyle to make his bid. Once the 9-4 favourite saw daylight, he negotiated the final fence in good style and kept on strongly to beat Marasonnien by two lengths.

Culloty said: "He'll get three miles in time but, on this ground, I didn't want to subject him to a gruelling race. I'll chat with the owner to see where we go but over that distance, he's only getting going at the end. He handles that ground well and I won't run him on fast ground. He's got a bright future."

Tarquinius made virtually all the running to grind out victory in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase. Keith Donoghue had the Gordon Elliott-trained grey in the vanguard from the start and saw off a couple of serious challengers to land the spoils.

Donoghue told At the Races: "He jumped well and travelled the whole way and just galloped them into the ground. He's a good horse and his jumping helps him a lot."

Sizing Gold (4-6) justified his short price with a convincing win in the Ryans Cleaning Maiden Hurdle.

Runner-up behind smart types in Seeford and Don Cossack in his first two races over jumps, Henry de Bromhead's five-year-old came good in stylish fashion. Asserting his superiority from the second-last in the hands of Andrew Lynch, he was not hard pressed to score by three lengths from Morning Assembly.

De Bromhead said: "I'm delighted with that. He just jumps and gallops. After running well on his first start over two and a half miles, I dropped him back to two miles at Navan. I'm definitely wondering why I did that!

"Nevertheless, he ran a good race against Don Cossack and I was delighted with him today and he'll stay further. I'd imagine he'll go for a novice race next over two and a half miles-plus but we've no big targets for him over hurdles.

"He's massive, a very big horse, so to win a bumper last year was pretty impressive. He weighed out at 584 kilos this morning so there's no point in killing him over hurdles. He's a dour stayer and one to look forward to over fences."

13 May 2013

Fabre confirms Ocovango for Epsom
Aspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout

12 May 2013

No hurry for Jammy plans
Guest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning

11 May 2013

Felix foot-perfect on fencing debut
Cavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory

10 May 2013

Telescope focus is on Dante
Blinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests