Gibraltar opens his account on the level

Gibraltar registered his first win on the level, as he took the last at Leopardstown this evening, the Donohue Marquees Handicap.

A winner over flights on his debut for Willie Mullins in June of last year, the Tamayuz gelding had been ultimately disappointing since and was well-beaten on his last two starts.

Sent off a 7/2 chance this evening, the Colin Keane ridden five-year-old was settled in mid-division and was pushed along in a closer fourth from early in the straight.

Soon switched to the outer, he was ridden from the furlong pole and swept to the front inside the final 150 yards, going on to score by two-and-a-half lengths for owner Edward Ware. Charlie Luciano (20/1) filled the runner-up spot under Chris Hayes for Noel Meade, while Fox Fearless (20/1) was half-a-length back in third. Final Orders was sent off the 10/3 favourite and he finished fifth.

"He probably had a good run the last day up to a point and maybe the step back in trip suited him," Keane said.

"He travelled around very well and when we got the split he quickened up well. He was probably only doing enough at the same time when he got there. It's nice to get a winner on the board for him.

"For a big horse he handles that ground very well. He's a good-actioned horse and he gets that trip well. Maybe he didn't get home over two miles the last day."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee