Death Duty and Davy Russell© Photo Healy Racing
Death Duty came forward lovely from his Tipperary chasing debut to land the Grade 3 Buck House Novice Chase at Punchestown.
Supplying Davy Russell with a second winner on the day, and Gordon Elliott with a fourth, Death Duty never gave those that took odds of 4/9 any cause for concern.
The son of Shantou, who famously gave Derek O'Connor a 1,000th winner in point-to-points, jumped better than he'd done at Tipperary. Woodland Opera tried to put it up to him but Death Duty was much too strong from before the second last and in the end it was the winner's fellow Gigginstown House Stud runner, Tout Est Permis that finished second.
Eleven lengths was the margin between the front two at the line.
"I've always thought the world of this horse. Last year I was of the opinion that he probably wanted three miles but I'd say I might have been wrong to be honest," said Elliott.
"He wasn't right in Cheltenham, so look we'll put a line through last year. He was always bought to be a chaser and chasing is his game. He's a horse to look forward to.
"I'd say we'll keep him between two-and-a-half to two-six. That gives us loads of options.
"He jumped well in Tipperary, I know he made a mistake at the last. I'd say just going a gear faster and having to be more competitive suited him better.
"You'd have to be delighted with him. I'd say he'll go for the Drinmore now and I'd say he'll go straight there."
Elliott and Russell won the 3.10 with Ben Dundee
The other Elliott winners were Pallastor (Legends Race) and Samco.
D.E. Mullins, rider of Three Wise Men trained by Henry de Bromhead, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount didn't travel.
(GC & EM)
