Gloves are off for dominant Duke, Gold Cup next Jessica Harrington declared Our Duke a definite Cheltenham Gold Cup runner following the gelding's back-to-form win in the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase at Gowran today. Last season's Irish Grand National winner was tailed off on his reappearance run at Down Royal in November before filling an improved fourth place in the Irish Gold Cup this month, and today returned to winning ways under regular rider Robbie Power. The eight year old made most of the running today and while he clouted the fourth-last fence, maintained his balance and in the end found reserves to stamina to fight off Presenting Percy from the last and score a length win. What a race - Our Duke holds off Presenting Percy to win the Red Mills Chase! @GowranPark1 pic.twitter.com/VvDb7gYBKL— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 17, 2018 Harrington later stated "I'm absolutely delighted; he was good and Robert said he really only started jumping when the gun was to his head over the last three. He loses his concentration but was much sharper today. “He only starts concentrating when he goes quick, and you can't go too quick on that ground. “He wouldn't have liked that ground as it's horrible ground, and it's a good performance giving Presenting Percy 7lb. Sizing Gold's trainer added "all being well he'll go to the Gold Cup now and I won't have to do much with him which is great. He had to come back and do that, as you couldn't go without that race and he'll be sharper again." "He has a very high cruising speed and he'll concentrate alright at Cheltenham; when he goes that gear quicker he's on the bridle and he can do anything." Paddy Power bookmaker later cut Our Duke to 10/1, from 14s, for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March while also pushing out novice Presenting Percy to 100/30, from 3/1, for the RSA also at Cheltenham. Quotes from Alan Magee
