Duty continues rise towards the top Death Duty has been a headline maker since supplying Derek O'Connor with his 1,000th winner when starting off his career in point-to-points. The Shantou gelding continued his rise towards the top when impressing in the Grade 3 'Monksfield' Novice Hurdle at Navan. Supplying Gordon Elliott with an opening race double after Brelade's win under Jack Kennedy in the first, Death Duty prevailed in this two and a half miler by no less than seven and a half lengths in the hands of Bryan Cooper. The winner, owned by Gigginstown House Stud, took over from the other one in the 'maroon and white,' Lion In His Heart, from the third last. He was soon in control, jumping the next well, as Lion In His Heart came to grief, hampering Stand Up And Fight. A course winning Listed bumper horse, Death Duty ultimately raced to a convincing win from She's A Star. "He's a big chaser in the making, and will be a nice horse next year jumping fences. He'll keep to hurdles this year," said Elliott. "He probably won't go back in trip, and will definitely stay further. I'd say he will stay any trip in time." Paddy Power go 12/1 from 25/1 about Death Duty for the Neptune Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival. Betfair are also 12s from 25s. Paddy Power are 8/1 from 12/1 for the Albert Bartlett on Death Duty. Boylesports 10/1 (from 16/1) 12/1 unchanged Betfair. (AM & EM)
