Round Tower and Meyler impress

For eight of the participants in the Burleigh Accountancy Maiden Hurdle there was simply no living with the bold jumping front running performance put in by favourite, Round Tower (11/8), as he maintained Donagh Meyler's fine run in the fifth race at Ballinrobe.

Trainer Karl Thornton and Meyler may have had to settle for second in the feature half-an-hour earlier with Duke Cass but they weren't to be denied here as the Kilkenny rider bossed things throughout the two mile five furlong event on the victorious Presenting gelding.

Often a beaten favourite in the past, Round Tower here asserted approaching the last to easily defeat Billy De Kid by eight and a half lengths.

"That's a relief! He has been called plenty of names but he has had plenty of problems and that's what people don't realise," revealed Thornton.

"He has plenty of ability and we will school him away over fences now. Chasing will be his game."

(DM & EM)