Duke Debarry gets 2019 off to a winning start!

Wed 02 Jan 2019

CATTERICK- 3m 1f Novices' Chase

Racing Post commentary: "Tracked leader, ridden along after 3 out, 4 lengths down 2 out, closed between last 2, jumped into lead last, stayed on." He was highlighted at their 'Star Performer' too: "Proved an instant hit over fences and looks capable of going further than over hurdles."

It was a fine victory yesterday and Duke Debarry remains unbeaten at northern tracks starting with the letter C! He put in a very solid round of jumping for a novice first time out, only making one or two novicey mistakes which he’s more than allowed to. We bought him with chasing in mind and that seems to be the making of him. Yesterday was the first time he’s really put it all together in a single race, he’s shown glimpses of his level of ability before but never jumped, traveled and stayed all together, when he does he looks a useful animal! There was a nice postcript too, as we won the race with our Nicky Henderson trained Premier Bond in 2017.

Tom, his syndicate manager said "I was very impressed with how he stayed as well, that trip at Catterick with the rail movements is as far as one can go with a novice, so wherever we go next it will have to be back in trip but he will be a lovely staying chaser when we can get over the stamina sapping trips. It will be interesting to see what the handicapper does going forward. We will look for a novice handicap chase next time out but which ratings band will be up the handicapper!"

Well done to his owners; a brilliant start to the year.