Duke Ellington (Gary Carroll) winning the mile nursery© Photo Healy Racing
Duke Ellington caused something of a surprise when making his first start in handicap company a winning one in the mile nursery at Leopardstown.
The son of Rock Of Gibraltar was outpaced in the early stages and had about half of the 20-runner field ahead of him turning in.
However the Willie McCreery-trained colt really got going in the straight, and dug deep for Gary Carroll to head top-weight Havanna Belle in the final 100 yards.
The 16/1 chance finished to such effect that he had a length and a quarter to spare at the line, with Swordfight and Magic Of Christmas taking third and fourth respectively.
McCreery said, “He’s a grand little horse, and I’m delighted for his owner Garrett Freyne. I didn’t think he’d be a horse for the all-weather.
“He relished the fast pace. He was off the bridle down the back straight but once he passed horses he got confidence.
“If he settles and gives himself a chance he could be a nice mile and a quarter horse next year.”
Sean Corby was unseated from Boris Bike (ran loose for a while) going to the start. The combination ran on well to finish fifth but the talented apprentice is reportedly going for precautionary xrays on his arm.
