Benedictine dots up for Duke Mister Benedictine bounced back to form in scintillating style with an easy victory in the handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe. David Crosse tracked the leaders throughout on the Mister Baileys gelding before taking it up on the top bend turning for home. Brendan Duke's charge was still full of running and quickly sprinted clear from his rivals. Crosse didn't need to ask his mount any questions as he cruised to a six-length success in the two-and-a-half mile contest. 7/2 favourite The Grey Express stayed on from the back to take second but had no hope with the winner. There had been some money for the winner, backed at 25/1 in the morning and eventually sent off 14/1 on course. The nine-year-old's last victory had been in a novice chase at Huntingdon just over four years ago, for the trainer when he was based in England, but he had shown little in three runs here last summer. "I'm getting married in August and I said to (my fiancee) Angie that the only way the wedding would be on was if this horse won first time up!" joked Duke. "He won four for me when I was in England and then went to Paul Nolan for a year. But great trainer as he is it was like an only child going to boarding school. "I persuaded my brother (Joe) to buy him and unless there is uproar in the house the wedding is on. "He may go to Kilbeggan on Sunday now." Gary Carson & Alan Magee
