Promise of more to come as lion-hearted Death Duty wins on chasing debut

Gordon Elliott's Grade 1-winning novice hurdler Death Duty made a successful start to life over fences at Tipperary on Tuesday, delighting his connections despite a worrying moment on the run-in.

It had been plain sailing for most of the striking six-year-old's first start in this sphere and as he began to wind down on the run to the last, making a mistake which saw him headed by a crafty Ruby Walsh on Cap D'Aubois before regaining the advantage to win a shade snugly.

Death Duty jumped very well overall, and jockey Davy Russell reported he "never came out of second gear" in a race which lacked any major pace and Elliott was quick to sing the praises of his charge's courage.