DEATH Duty made a winning debut over fences at Tipperary - but it was not without incident.

It was not a blemish-free round by Gordon Elliott's highly-regarded six-year-old as he jumped a little ponderously early on and made one significant error in the www.tipperaryraces.ie Beginners Chase.

However, once Davy Russell decided to send him into a clear lead there was a notable improvement in his jumping.

Cap D'Aubois, a useful hurdler in his own right, tracked him throughout, with Inis Meain the only other serious competitor. But Death Duty demonstrated on more than one occasion last year that he possesses a huge engine and after a slow leap at the last, he needed to show it again.

Ruby Walsh spotted that Elliott's Grade 1-winning hurdler had slowed up going into the last and whereas Cap D'Aubois flew over it, Death Duty landed on all fours.

Russell briefly had to shake up the 1/5 favourite, but he quickened up efficiently and won cosily by three-quarters of a length.

The win completed a double for Russell and provided Elliott with the second leg of a treble.

SPARKLING

Roaring Bull made a sparkling start to his jumping career in the Join The Tipperary Supporter's Club 2018 (C & G) Maiden Hurdle.

Gordon Elliott's charge sprung a 25/1 debut surprise in a bumper at the Punchestown Festival, and was sent off the 2/7 favourite for his return.

Davy Russell had him close to the pace before moving upsides the front-running Cowboy Des Long four out. He stretched clear at the second-last and didn't have to come out of second gear to account for Cash In Mind by seven and a half lengths.

Elliott said: "He was a big baby last year and hadn't been showing us much at home and that's the reason he was a big price on debut. He is still a big baby and will be a nice horse for next year."

Creation, in the same Gigginstown House Stud colours carried by Roaring Bull, was made to pull out all the stops to justify 4/7 favouritism in the Follow Tipperary Races On Facebook Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Never more than a couple of lengths or so from the lead before leading at the second-last, the Henry de Bromhead-trained five-year-old was pressed, and perhaps even headed, by Elliott's Osco Mosco in the closing stages, only to fight back and prevail by a head.

De Bromhead said: "She jumped well, stayed at it well and we'll see what to do now. Hopefully she will come on from the run.

"She had a nice run over hurdles in France and then had a couple of runs in bumpers for us where she ran well, but hopefully this is her game. She loves jumping and might stay a bit further in time as well."

Elliott's treble was completed when Secret Legacy (7/2) and Nina Carberry won the Season Finale Flat Race by two and three-quarter lengths from 11/8 favourite Caliption.

DOMINANT

Miss Eyecatcher registered her third Tipperary success with a dominant performance in the Schooling At Tipperary Rated Novice Chase.

Roger McGrath's mare was successful twice in bumpers here and arrived on the back of a first triumph over fences at Listowel.

David Mullins was allowed an uncontested lead on the 4/6 favourite, enabling him to save plenty of petrol for the business end, and Miss Eyecatcher ran away from Jack The Wire when pressed to score by six and a half lengths.

Mullins said: "She is a right good mare. I thought she wanted better ground when I first started riding her but she obviously goes on soft and heavy as well.

"She goes two miles, two and a half, and three miles won't be a problem when she gets her ground. She is a pleasure to ride and Roger has her in top form every day."

Crocodile Dundee successfully reverted to the larger obstacles in the Tipperary Handicap Chase.

Successful in a maiden hurdle at Listowel's Harvest Festival last month, Tom Cooper's 2/1 favourite disposed of Black Scorpion by a length and a quarter to give jockey Bryan Cooper a brace following the win of Creation in the opener.

The winning trainer said: "Very few horses win a maiden hurdle and then a handicap chase on their next start. There was plenty of pace on today, which suited, and he is a super jumper and will go for something similar next."

No Pressure Pat (16/1) didn't show much in four outings last term and hadn't been seen since March, but he has returned a much improved animal and won the Follow Tipperary Races On Twitter Handicap Hurdle by four and a half lengths from Lockeen Girl.

Trainer Pat Fahy said: "I ran him in a bumper first time out and I thought he would have known his job but he was a disgrace in Thurles and was very green on his first run back.

"I never bring him away to work him because his legs aren't the best and we did as much as we could with him at home.

"It was his first time at three miles today and he just loved that ground. I hope he stays sound now and we'll have more craic with him."

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