Flynn's Duke Otto gets off the mark

Carrick-on-Suir trainer Pat Flynn saddled the winner and the third in the two-mile handicap hurdle at Tramore with 9/1 chance Duke Otto owned by the Duke Of Saxony Syndicate, faring best of the pair under Gary Noonan.

In a reduced field of ten (six absentees due to the heavy ground), Noonan gradually brought his mount from the rear and moved into third between the final two flights. The Sir Prancelot gelding stayed on well on the stands' side to collar 7/2 joint-favourite Star Oficial for a half length success with the other joint-favourite, the Flynn-trained Bite That back in third.

Flynn remarked: "Both horses are coming back from injuries and I'm delighted with the two of them. I thought they both had an equal chance. The winner is a right little terrier and he is owned by great people. He didn't mind the ground and Gary gave him a great ride. I also had a third in the Curragh (Whatharm), so the horses are running well."

Quotes from Donal Murphy