soon chased leaders in 3rd, 2nd from before 4 out, 3rd before next, soon 4th and no extra
raced in moderate 5th, jumped right 2nd and not fluent next, good headway to close on leader in 2nd before 3 out, soon ridden, challenged before 2 out, not fluent and no extra from last, eased when beaten late run-in
soon led and clear, jumped quickly, reduced lead before 3 out, pressed before next, not fluent last, stayed on well to draw clear run-in
chased leaders, soon moderate 4th, not fluent 4 out, 5th before next, soon no extra
chased leader in 2nd, not fluent 3rd, slight mistake 5 out, soon 3rd, lost place approaching 3 out, soon dropped behind
raced well off pace towards rear in 6th, went moderate 3rd from 3 out, soon no impression under pressure, ran on well without threatening run-in
chased leaders until mistake and unseated rider 3rd
soon well off pace in rear, kept on without threatening under pressure straight
It's a surprise to see The Kings Sword dropping back to the minimum trip after losing his hurdling maiden tag over 2m6f at Limerick. He may find one or two of these too quick for him with GATES OF ROME in particular looking a very progressive type. Colm Murphy's charge sauntered home at Clonmel before another impressive success over today's course and distance and can go on to better things. Cadspeed, a dual bumper winner here, finally got his head in front at Leopardstown after several near misses but that was a poor contest while City Of Doral is better over further and Gallant Knight has struggled since scoring here in November.
City of Doral 6-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, progress 4 out, 7th before 2 out, soon no extra, 9th of 25, 20l behind Florimund (11-0) at Navan 2m 4f Handicap Hurdle (80-116) (4yo+) hvy in Feb.
Gates Of Rome (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 4th 3 out, 2nd entering straight, led 2 out, ridden to assert before last, kept on well, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 2m nov hdl (4-6yo) in Mar beating Misala (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Cadspeed (FR) 11-8fav (11-12) Raced in 2nd, closed on leader after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, driven out and stayed on well from last, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m mdn hdl (6yo+) sft in Feb beating Marlay Park (11-9) by 7l, 9 ran.
Gallant Light 12-1 (11-8) Led early, chased leader in 2nd from before 2nd, ridden to challenge before 2 out, no extra in 3rd 2 out, 5th and weakened before last, 9th of 17, 17l behind Dul Ar An Ol (9-11) at Fairyhouse 2m Novice Handicap Hurdle (8Evens23) (4yo+) hvy.
The Kings Sword (IRE) 3-1fav (11-9) Tracked leaders in 5th, mistake 3rd, progress into 3rd before halfway, led after 3 out, ridden clear before next, stayed on strongly, eased close home, won at Limerick 2m 6f mdn hdl sft in Jan beating The Big Boyo (11-1) by 12l, 12 ran.
Datokepe (IRE) Lord Americo gelding out of Grangeclare Rose.
Tequila Lord (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Soon led, ridden and headed 4 out, soon no extra and weakened, 11th of 18, well behind Cheer Up (10-11) at Thurles 2m mdn hdl (6yo+) sft in Mar.
Career Move (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Mid-division, rapid headway to be close up from 6th, lost place before 5 out, 8th after next, kept on without threatening from before last where jumped left, 4th of 22, 19l behind Stony Grey Soil (11-2) at Cork 2m 3f hcp hdl 80-102 hvy.
White Star Line (IRE) Saddlers' Hall gelding out of Fairly Deep.
