Death Duty gains first win since 2017

Death Duty (6/1) recorded his first victory for over four years when landing the featured Hollywoodbets Grand National Trial.

The 11-year-old, who was sidelined for a couple of years after winning the Grade 1 Drinmore Chase as a novice in 2017, tracked the leaders and moved into second place after two out. He went past stablemate Coko Beach on the run to the final fence and stayed on well under Jack Kennedy to defeat Champagne Platinum by three lengths. Floueur who blundered at the last, stayed on past the tiring Coko Beach to grab third place.

Winning trainer Gordon Elliott, who won this prize for owners Gigginstown House Stud in 2018 and 2019 with Folsom Blue and Dounikos said: “He did it well and Jack said he got into a lovely rhythm.

“He ran very well at Christmas but made a mistake at the first or second down the back in Gowran and just never got into the race then.

“Jack gave him a beautiful ride today and I'm glad it worked out. He's a long time between drinks, the horse.

“He won two Grade Ones and it's great to see him putting his head down there and galloping to the line.

“We've Cheltenham and Aintree and he'll go to one or the other. He'll be in the Kim Muir, the Ultima and in the English National (25/1 from 50s for the latter with Paddy Power).

“Seainin Mahon, the girl who led him up, rides him everyday and looks after him like a baby. He's like glass and she does all the work with him so big credit has to go to her.

“Coko Beach ran a very good race. If we could ever get a really soft ground Grand National it would be made for him. Considering the weight he ran very well.”

Issuing an update on Tiger Roll's condition ahead of the Corss Country Chase at Cheltenham, Elliott added: "He's in good form. He's not getting any younger but he doesn't owe us anything at this stage.”

(GC & MN)