Uno Voce (farside in grey) gets up to win under Wayne Lordan© Photo Healy Racing
Reserve Uno Voce sprang a surprise in the Paddy Casey Handicap scoring under Wayne Lordan for Brendan Duke.
The gelded son of Vocalised was second to Nice Vintage at Clonmel last month and finished a decent seventh of twenty-one behind Muraabit on his last outing at Navan.
Racing off the basement mark of 47 the Jackie Bolger owned bay opened at 25/1 on-course before going off a 16/1 chance.
Settled in mid-division he was seventh three furlongs out. He was ridden entering the straight and came with his challenge on the outer from two furlongs out.
He was fourth a furlong from home and kept on best in the closing stages, getting up in the final strides to win by a head. Social Climber (12/1), who hit the front under two furlongs out, had to settle for second under Chris Hayes for Kevin Prendergast while Liffey View (8/1) was a further head back in third under Declan McDonogh for Adrian McGuinness. Pat Harkin was sent off the 7/2 favourite and he was a further length back in fourth under Colm O'Donoghue for Patrick Prendergast.
"I got asked earlier in the day if he'd win and I said he'd definitely win. I'd hate to have to go to confession!" joked Duke.
He then added: "That's my first winner here and I'm absolutely delighted. I started my racing life off at Leopardstown. Christmas 1963 was the first time I ever came racing. I was born not too far from here in Crumlin so it's great to train a winner here.
"I'm thrilled. He's a genuine little horse. He showed a lot of courage and that ground is probably as quick as he wants it."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
