Brendan Duke saddled a welcome winner when Intenser battled to victory in the nursery at the Curragh.

Rory Cleary produced the Intense Focus gelding to challenge at the furlong pole and he knuckled down well to lead in the closing stages for a half length victory over Sauanna Belle

The Jackie Bolger-owned gelding had run with promise at Down Royal in May but had been last of eight on his most recent maiden start at Tipperary in early June.

It was a first winner since mid-April for the trainer and he said:- “They have been running great all year but I've had 11 seconds and six that have been beaten less than a head.

“I signed up for a course on the internet during the week about how to survive in the wilderness as that's how I felt!

“I'm delighted he's won. It's made a big difference gelding him. He just got there and the handicapper probably did a good job rating them.

“Hopefully we'll find another day somewhere and we've been thinking about the nursery in Galway for a long time with him.”