'We've been screaming at the TV' - Griffiths stalwart Duke Of Firenze strikes

While old favourites typically shine at Aintree on Grand National day, it was an admirable 12-year-old who lit up the scene at Lingfield on Saturday over the minimum race distance.

That horse, the great Duke Of Firenze, charged home late on his 108th start to snatch a 12th career win in the final strides from the 13-8 favourite Newyorkstateofmind.

Famously a winner of the Dash in 2013, and once fourth at Group 1 level, Duke Of Firenze continues to delight his trainer David Griffiths.

"I've been watching it at home with the kids screaming at the TV – I was close to losing my voice," Griffiths said.

"For a 12-year-old he'd still pull your arms off around the gallop, still bucking and kicking. He's just one of those great horses, a stable star.

"Laura [Pearson] has given him a great ride, doing exactly what she needed to do, but in fairness he's picked up so well in the straight."

And given he has won Epsom's famous Derby day sprint once, and been placed in the Dash on two other occasions, that is his target once again.

"There's a [five-furlong] race at Epsom on their trials day [April 20], so he'll probably go there. We might struggle to get into a Dash, but that's hopefully his target."

Results, replays and analysis

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