Chop collects again for Duffy Deluca Chop prevailed in a cracking three-way finish to the Mount Charles Handicap at Down Royal. The Shane Duffy-trained gelding, doubling up on a win at Navan 13 days ago, went to post a 9/2 shot today. Paddy Harnett had to wait for a gap as he moved up behind the leaders crossing the road and switched in to challenge passing the furlong pole. He joined Folly Beach and Royal Alliance and edged ahead in the closing stages to post a neck success over the former. Harnett said: "Super! I didn't mind coming up for him - I had to do my lightest weight on him, but he was coming here in good form and the ground turned up soft which he really relished. "He got his head in front the last day and he won kind of snug. "He felt brilliant today throughout the race. He jumped smart and got a nice position. I was taking him back all the way and he was really, really loving it. “Down into the straight, he just picked them off one by one and hit the line well. "I didn't count my strikes, but I put it down just before the line and he downed tools, but he had done enough. "This year has been unbelievable - I'm getting support from everyone that I ride for, owners and trainers, and I'm getting a lot of help from some jockeys as well. That is probably my best year so far." (Quotes by Michael Graham)
