Our Duke wins thrilling Neville Hotels Novice Chase

Our Duke outlasted Coney Island to win a thrilling Neville Hotels Novices Chase at Leopardstown.

Despite making mistakes over at least two fences Jessica Harrington's charge refused to give in and fought back from a surge from pre-race favourite Coney Island to win by half a length.

With 10 strong entrants lining up at the start, Briar Hill fell at the beginning of the second circuit, while Alpha Des Obeaux was pulled up after making a bad mistake in the back straight.

When the race entered the business end, there were four in contention, with Disko holding a slender advantage.

Eddy Harty's Coney Island swept into the lead entering the final furlong and looked set for a battling victory after taking the final jump in front.

However, Robbie Power asked for Our Duke to surge one last time and he scored by half a length, with Disko taking third place, the same distance behind Coney Island in second.

Earlier in the afternoon, Willie Mullins bagged his 21st winner of the Christmas period when the hotly-fancied Let's Dance lived up to her billing with a comfortable victory in the Willis Towers Watson European Breeders Fund Mares Hurdle.

Slowmotion looked like making an argument of it as she stuck with the pre-race favourite for much of the race but as soon as Ruby Walsh asked Let's Dance to stretch her legs, a big gap opened up and she scored a 17-length win.

Battleford had given Mullins his 20th victory in the previous race, the Guinness Maiden Hurdle, holding off the determined challenge of Coeur Joyeux to win by two lengths.

"He was very good but a bit novicey at a few of his hurdles," Mullins said of Battleford. "He was way better than he was in Navan.

"He's another horse that's going to keep on improving. He's so strong and big in himself. I don't know if he's fit yet. He was impressive.

"He'd step up in trip all the time I'd say. Three miles won't be a problem to him. He's a really tough horse.

"He gives himself a hard time all the time, but he thrives on it."

Photo: ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

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