Duke Of Mantua steps forward from promising debut

Duke Of Mantua built on a promising Curragh debut third placing from 11 days back to take the Irish EBF Supporting Irish Champions Weekend (C & G) Maiden at Gowran.

Up a furlong in trip the successful No Nay Never colt was niggled along at stages by Seamie Heffernan.

However, once pulled out to deliver his bid from the two furlong pole the writing was soon on the wall.

Duke Of Mantua asserted in the final furlong, eased close home to beat Sword Zorro and Fight Zone by two and three parts of a length and a head.

Heffernan said on the Ballydoyle juvenile: “We thought he was only ready to start at the Curragh and Padraig (Beggy) said with another furlong he’d have won.

“He was a bit green and a bit behind the bridle but there was only going to be one winner from the furlong pole. Hopefully he keeps progressing.”

S. Foley, rider of Sword Zorro trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran around up the straight.

(AM & EM)