Death Duty rolled back the years to claim top honours in the Hollywoodbets Grand National Trial at Punchestown.
Gordon Elliott's charge was a Grade One winner over hurdles and fences in his pomp, but had failed to get his head in front since winning the Drinmore at Fairyhouse in December 2017.
Now an 11-year-old, Death Duty had not been disgraced in either the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown or the Thyestes at Gowran Park on his last two starts and he was a 6-1 shot for his latest assignment.
Ridden by Jack Kennedy, the veteran moved into the slipstream of stablemate Coko Beach rounding the home turn before taking over on the run to the final fence.
Champagne Platinum came home to good effect, but Death Duty never looked in any danger of being reeled in and passed the post with three lengths in hand.
Death Duty shows his class in the @Hollywoodbets Grand National Trial Handicap Chase, forging clear to land today's feature contest in great style under the guidance of @jackkennedy15 for trainer @gelliott_racing 🏆 pic.twitter.com/n2DzzzSyMQ
— Punchestown (@punchestownrace) February 13, 2022
Elliott said: "He did it well and Jack said he got into a lovely rhythm.
"He ran very well at Christmas but made a mistake at the first or second down the back in Gowran and just never got into the race then.
"Jack gave him a beautiful ride today and I’m glad it worked out. He’s a long time between drinks, the horse.
"He won two Grade Ones and it’s great to see him putting his head down there and galloping to the line."
On future plans, Elliott added: "We’ve Cheltenham and Aintree and he’ll go to one or the other. He’ll be in the Kim Muir, the Ultima and in the English National.
"Seainin Mahon, the girl who led him up, rides him everyday and looks after him like a baby. He’s like glass and she does all the work with him, so big credit has to go to her.
"Coko Beach ran a very good race. If we could ever get a really soft ground Grand National, it would be made for him. Considering the weight, he ran very well."
Slip Of The Tongue (5-2JF) played a starring role in a treble for jockey Mark Walsh and owner JP McManus with a dramatic victory in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle.
A winner on his hurdling debut at Tipperary last spring, the five-year-old had since had to make do with minor honours at Gowran Park and Limerick respectively.
But having finished third behind two potential Champion Hurdle contenders in Teahupoo and Quilixios over Christmas, Padraig Roche's inmate was sent off joint-favourite to claim Listed honours.
Deploy The Getaway looked the most likely winner when scooting into a clear advantage leaving the back straight, but Slip Of The Tongue reeled him in on the run to the final flight.
Just when it looked like he was getting on top, the Flemensfirth gelding blundered badly, with Walsh doing well to keep the partnership intact.
Slip Of The Tongue regathered his momentum to get back on top by three-quarters of a length – and while the stewards held an inquiry due to the interference suffered by the runner-up, the placings remained unaltered.
Roche said: "That was great, he’s a lovely horse and it’ll keep the father (former rider and trainer Christy Roche) happy as he’s a home-bred. He’s a horse that we’ve liked all the time and he’s learning all the time.
"At Limerick the last day we didn’t learn much. I’d say he stays well and loves that bit of soft ground. Knowing the family, they get better with time and hopefully he will. He’s a fine, big horse.
"I haven’t discussed plans yet but I’d say we’ll keep him at home."
The Walsh-McManus treble was initiated by Midnight Maestro (9-2), who edged out stablemate Shady Operator in the Hollywoodbets Bet 10 Get 30 PP Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase.
Walsh and McManus doubled up with the Willie Mullins-trained Ciel De Niege (5-4F), who comfortably made it three from three over fences in the Hollywoodbets Cheltenham Festival Preview March 3rd Rated Novice Chase.
Mullins made it a double on the day with James's Gate (2-5F) in the Hollywoodbets Money Back 2nd To SP Favourite (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.
The five-year-old was making his racecourse bow in the hands of the trainer's son Patrick, but he made short work of his rivals to run out an eight-length winner and set up a possible date in the Champion Bumper at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.
"He’s a tremendous addition to (owner) Sean and Bernardine Mulryan’s group of horses," said Mullins.
"He was bought from Pat Doyle, on his recommendation, and I’m very pleased for him as well. He looks as good as Pat thinks he is.
"I’d imagine he’ll go for the Cheltenham bumper and we’ll look forward to coming back here as well for the Festival bumper."
