Death Duty off the mark over fences

Gordon Elliott had three winners at Tipperary this afternoon with the highlight being Death Duty's winning chasing debut. The Grade 1 winning novice hurdler didn't quite fulfil expectations last spring when unseating his rider in the Albert Bartlett NH at Cheltenham and finishing third at Punchestown. The six year old, who won his only point-to-point when handled by Pat Doyle, made his fencing bow over two miles seven and was partnered by Davy Russell. He produced a bold jump at the penultimate fence and looked set to win decisively. However, his rider took no chances at the last allowing his mount to slow up and that handed the initiative to Cap D'Aubois. Russell didn't panic though as Death Duty regained the advantage close home to win snugly. His trainer indicated afterwards that the gelding will probably have one more race before his first big target the Grade 1 Drinmore Novices' Chase at Fairyhouse in early December. It would be no surprise if two and a half miles proves to be his optimum distance over fences.

Eight year old Flat horses rated 57 are not really my speciality but I suggest keeping an eye on Ingleby Angel in the remaining weeks of the turf season. The gelding left David O'Meara at the end of the 2015 season with a rating of 98 before joining Colin Teague. Twenty one races later and rated 59, he rejoined the former jump jockey last month. Fourth at Newcastle on Friday evening in a seven furlongs handicap, he finished a close third at Ayr today in the first division of the one mile apprentice handicap. Under a more forceful ride, he may well have prevailed having travelled strongly. Look out for Ingleby Angel at Redcar between now and early November - he has won five times at the Cleveland venue and double the stake if Danny Tudhope rides him for the first time since August 2015. Danny has partnered him to 4 of his 10 career wins. I will be surprised if he can't win a 0-60 at least.