OUR Duke got his season back on track with a battling defeat of Presenting Percy in a thrilling Grade 2 Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park.

Having flopped on his Down Royal comeback, after he which he underwent an operation for a kissing spine, last season's Irish Grand National hero performed with more credit in the Irish Gold Cup but was back in action less than two weeks later.

The Jessica Harrington-trained eight-year-old was always up with the pace but made a couple of errors, and leading novice Presenting Percy served it up to him from three out.

They jumped the last couple of obstacles as one and settled down for a real tussle to the line, but Our Duke (5/2) and Robbie Power pulled out that little bit more to prevail by a length from the even-money favourite.

Then Forge Meadow made it a big-race double for Harrington and Power and with a resolute victory in the Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle.

The 7/4 chance put the pace to the race but looked beaten when headed by a rejuvenated Identity Thief.

He could not put it to bed, though, and Forge Meadow stuck her head down and answered every question asked of her, getting back up by a length and a half.

The two-mile event had been weakened by the defection of Mick Jazz, who was a non-runner due to a temperature.

Some Neck (3/1) led home a one-two for Willie Mullins in the www.gowranpark.ie Beginners Chase.

His stablemate Up For Review disputed the running with Burgas, with the pair holding a clear advantage, although separated by the width of the track at times.

Odds-on favourite Up For Review went on before three out, but Some Neck was making steady inroads on the lead and after challenging at the final fence, came clear to triumph on his return from a layoff by six lengths.

Mall Dini was a leading contender for the race but a stone bruise led to his withdrawal.

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Saldier created a striking impression on his jumping bow in the Sea Moon & Shantou At Burgage Stud Maiden Hurdle and may have even booked his Cheltenham Festival ticket.

Willie Mullins' French import was campaigned in pattern company on the flat so it was no real surprise that he was all the rage as the 4/9 favourite.

He tracked the pacesetting Galtymore and they went clear after the third-last, but Saldier was travelling much more powerfully and David Mullins didn't have to break sweat for his mount to stroll across the line with 10 lengths in hand. Galtymore took a tired fall at the last, leaving Big Ego to fill the runner-up berth.

The Mullins' were completing a double, initiated by Some Neck in the beginners' chase.

The champion trainer said: "That was a nice performance. He had a little setback at Christmas and we couldn't run him but he's always shown us that he's half-decent and looks it on that evidence there.

"The loose horse rammed him and gave him every opportunity to run off the track and set him alight, but he seemed to take it all in his stride. He jumped well throughout the race, and is a horse that we can look forward to.

"He's in the Triumph Hurdle and looks like he could be good enough to take his place. We'll see how he comes out of this race.

"He handled that ground well but better ground won't inconvenience him."

Read the full report from Gowran Park in next weekend's edition of The Irish Field