Gates too good for Clonmel opposition

Point-to-point winner Gates Of Rome mightn't convince with his hurdling but the even money favourite was much too good for the opposition in the opening Clonmel Maiden Hurdle, scoring by nineteen lengths.

The son of Luso led into the straight and there wasn't much doubt about the outcome from there home. He got the last wrong (2 out, the final hurdle was actually bypassed) but it mattered little as he sauntered to victory.

Winning trainer, Colm Murphy remarked: "He'll either go for a winners of one now or we'll see what handicap mark he gets. I won't aim too high with him."

Sean McDermott, who got a fall from Seaside Shuffle at the third hurdle, was stood down for the day.