Son Of Flemensfirth Delights Connections With Valuable Win

Glamorgan Duke (7g Flemensfirth - Dunahall Queen, by Saddlers’ Hall) provided the Gilligan family with a day to remember when battling back to win Sunday’s €150,000 Grade A chase at Leopardstown.

It marked just a fifth start over fences for the Paul Gilligan-trained bay, though he had ran with great credit behind formidable opponents on his previous starts in chases. Conor Maxwell rode him in a prominent position for much of the two mile and five furlong contest, leading from five out, but was headed in the straight. Battling back on the run-in, he led close home and beat Trainwreck by a head on the line.

Gilligan trains the winner for his wife Natalie and later credited their sons’ hard work, adding, “It's great to get a first Leopardstown winner. He's a good horse. He's going to be a better horse next year I'd say as he's still not fully filled out. I hope he'll make into an Irish National horse.”

The Cheltenham Festival is now on the agenda for Glamorgan Duke, who was bred by David O’Brennan out of a half-sister to dual Grade 1 winner Harbour Pilot.