A double, across both codes!

Thu 24 Oct 2019

DUKE DEBARRY (Brian Ellison), wins the 2m 4f Chase at Carlisle.

A third career win from the son of Presenting, aka 'The Duke' and he is now 2 from 2 at Carlisle! Having been away for two racecourse gallops, he was pretty fit when he lined up on his first start for Brian Ellison, after 190 days off. He travelled sweetly for Brian Hughes, putting in his usual solid jumping (although the first couple saw him get a little over excited!) As others began to struggle and come off the bridle, Brian had simply to give Duke a couple of shakes of the reins for him to pick up and was still cruising when he jumped the last, pulling 10 lengths away from the runner up.

The Racing Post awarded him an RPR of 131, an equal career best and Brian Hughes was thrilled with him, saying that he was a very professional jumper. With his rising rating, that could be into the 130's come next week he could have some serious handicaps on his agenda.

He is fine this morning (there's a photo of him in the gallery), and whilst out in the paddock, Brian says he is acting as though he has won the Gold Cup! Who knows where he is going to end up, but he should be giving his owners some excitement this year. Well done everyone.

Watch the race replay here: https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/the-racing/race-replays/2019/10/24/#barry_murtagh_racing_handicap_chase and see the official photos here: https://www.grossick.co.uk/v/photos/80532khg/C350905004/x5-duke-debarry

CLAY REGAZZONI (Keith Dalgleish), wins the 1m 1/2f nursery handicap at Wolves.

He was the Racing Post Wolves Star Performer: "Clay Regazzoni (7.15) had a nice pace setup and came through strongly to get off the mark."

A well deserved win from the 2 year old son of Due Diligence, as he has been 2nd on four occasions in his debut season! It was an unusual start to the race, as the stalls had failed after the first race of the evening, so all subsequent starts were an old school flag start line up. 

It was a superb ride by Callum Rodriguez, who held him up off the strong pace and then made headway on the inner, staying on strongly to lead in the final 50 yards under a drive. In the winners enclosure Clay was full of himself, clearly recognising that for once he wasn't at the '2nd place' position marker!

Well done to his owners. The official photos can be seen here: https://www.jahphoto.co.uk/-/galleries/wolverhampton-horse-racing-2019/october-2019/24th-october-2019/race-5-715-winner.