Good enough to Duke it out

RISING star Presenting Percy might prove too strong for Our Duke in today’s Red Mills Chase in Gowran Park.

Despite the absence of Douvan, the 2018 renewal of this traditional Grade 2 feature is fascinating as it pits exciting novice Percy against last year’s impressive Boylesports Irish Grand National winner Our Duke,

and last year’s winner

A Grade 1-winning novice last season, 166-rated Our Duke sets the standard. And Jessica Harrington’s charge, a 14 lengths winner of the Irish National last spring, off a mark of 153, is sure to improve from his recent comeback run in the Unibet Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

There, having his first run since flopping on his seasonal bow at Down Royal in November and undergoing back surgery, he held every chance when clouting the second last, losing his place and plugging on to finish fourth, beaten almost 16 lengths, behind Edwulf.

Although narrowly beaten by Disko in a Grade 1 last season over this sort of trip, Our Duke is most effective over three miles, or further, and could be vulnerable over today’s trip, two and a half miles.

Same applies to Presenting Percy, winner of the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham last year, already established as one of this season’s top novice chasers and favourite for Cheltenham’s RSA Chase.

Successful on his fencing bow in Galway before finishing third to Jury Duty in a Grade 2 novice at Punchestown, Pat Kelly’s gelding bolted-up, off a mark of 145, in a marathon handicap at Fairyhouse (three and a half miles).

Last time, he oozed class when, reverting to hurdling, he won the John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle (Grade 2) at this venue on Thyestes day.

Officially rated 9lb inferior to Our Duke, Percy is set to receive 6lb from that rival today. And, in the belief we haven’t seen the best of him and that he’ll cope well with this inadequate trip, Davy Russell’s mount gets the vote.

If the two market leaders prove vulnerable over the trip, either Valseur Lido or A Toi Phil could pounce.

Winner of the 2016 Jnwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal, Valseur Lido was off the track for a year before finishing fifth to Road To Respect at Leopardstown over Christmas and filled a similar spot behind Edwulf last time (held by Our Duke). But, at his best, he could be a threat.

And Gordon Elliott’s A Toi Phil, a convincing winner of the Grade 2 Kinloch Brae at Thurles last time and proven at this sort of trip, cannot be discounted.

Pat Kelly, Davy Russell and owner Philip Reynolds will hope to get the day off to a flyer with

experienced but winless in nine chase starts, in the opening beginners event, final preparation for a return to Cheltenham, where he has won the Pertemps and, last year, finished fifth in the Kim Muir.