Our Duke was reported to have scoped abnormally following his disappointing effort in the Grade 1 JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal today.

The Jessica Harrington-trained gelding was sent off 5/6 favourite to make a winning return to action today.

It became apparent from very early on that he wasn't travelling or jumping with any zest in the three-mile contest.

Robbie Power was sending out distress signals from a long way out on last year's impressive Irish National winner and he eventually trailed in last of the seven finishers.

It was subsequently reported that he had scoped abnormally with a rating of four out of five for mucus.

Harrington said:- “He was beaten going to the first fence. He's scoped abnormally. He'll get a course of antibiotics and we'll go from there. It's the lesser of the evils (it could have been) anyway.”

Power had reported:- “I couldn't hold my position over the first fence so something has definitely gone amiss. He was very lacklustre and it's not him."