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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Death Duty taxes his rivals

Sun 13th Dec 2015, 16:08

Death Duty, right, proves too strong in NavanDeath Duty, right, proves too strong in Navan
© Photo Healy Racing

Death Duty took some notable scalps when making all in Navan's Listed bumper under Nina Carberry.

Gordon Elliott 's charge brought up plenty of bets in justifying 5/4 favouritism as he was backed down from a morning price of 9/4. He gave Elliott and Gigginstown a double on the card as they were successful in the previous race with Killer Crow

The four-year-old looked to have a stern challenge from the highly-touted Our Duke (who won his bumper by 21 lengths) who chased him in second. Our Duke came off the bridle though in the final quarter of a mile as Death Duty kept rolling along at the head of affairs.

Carberry started to push Death Duty along with a furlong to go and Our Duke started to inch closer. Try as he might though, Our Duke couldn't reel Death Duty in and the 13/8 chance was never nearer than when half a length down at the line. Babbling Stream came in third under Patrick Mullins. He was beaten six lengths by the winner. Tipperary victor Jack The Wire was 17 lengths further away in fourth.

Gordon Elliott said: “I'd say he's not a bad horse. He's not really a bumper horse.

“I don't think he'd jump a hurdle this season and I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't do a whole lot more. Three miles and fences is what he wants.

“It wasn't ideal to make the running but we knew there would be no pace.”

Nina Carberry added: "I loved him in Down Royal and probably the ground in Down Royal was a little bit quick for him but he still had the class to go and do it. I think he showed us his class today. I thought he was very good.

"The form was rock solid for the race and I really fancied him today. I thought the ground and everything would suit him. He's a lovely chaser in the making."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.