Duke back in winner's enclosure after Cork bumper

The fifth of August 2022 saw Brendan Duke saddle Bold Approach to land a maiden hurdle at Wexford and the colourful Curragh handler had to wait two years until his next victory which came courtesy of Ballysax Hank (11/4) in the bumper at Cork.

Runner-up at Killarney last month, Liam Tougher's homebred five-year-old had Derek O'Connor's assistance on this occasion and made most of the running to account for Mrs Mc Go by a length and a quarter.

Never short of a word, Duke reflected: "Professionally myself and my wife have had a horrific 12 months and it has taken its time to pull ourselves together. We had been leasing a yard for 11 years but the yard was sold and that situation is still in the courts.

"We don't have as many horses now but have some very quality ones and Liam was there last year when we needed him.

"I thought he'd win in Killarney but the winner is probably a good horse and we finished will clear of the third. This fellow is really promising, there is a lot more to come and we needed this to happen."

Quotes from Tom Weekes