Enterprising Casey guides Gentleman Duke to glory

Gentleman Duke, trained for JP McManus by Arthur Moore, landed the inaugural running of the John Mulhern Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe’s final meeting of 2014.

The versatile six-year-old, enterprisingly ridden by David Casey, made all to beat recent winners Coldstonesober and Res Ipsa Loquitur, to the delight of trainer Moore, who commented: “This win gives me a lot of satisfaction and pleasure as John was a good pal of mine. And JP, who is over at the Ryder Cup, will be thrilled to win this race.”

And he added: “He injured a hind-leg last year, but it’s good to have him back and he’s been working well. He’ll probably go back chasing, but this race was perfect for him. After all, he has run in some of the big handicap around Leopardstown and he was meeting maiden winners at level weights today. He was able to dictate and David gave him a lovely ride.”