Tarquinius claims Leopardstown triumph

Tarquinius made virtually all the running when grinding out victory in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase at Leopardstown.

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.

Scavenger Lad first tried to put it to Tarquinius (9-2), but he was soon seen off and then Sea Master tried but he too was brushed aside as the front-runner strode clear to win by 10 lengths from Jolily.

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.”