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Gordon Elliott's leading novice prospect Death Duty is expected to make a winning chase debut in Tipperary's Beginners Chase (3:50) this afternoon.
A Festival flop this season when failing to finish in the Albert Bartlett, he has been predicted to be a leading novice chaser this season and is reported in good shape ahead of his debut.
The six-year-old was one of the leading favourites at the Cheltenham Festival last season, but the 13-8 shot was well beaten when unseating Bryan Cooper at the last hurdle.
He capped off his season finishing a seven length third at Punchestown's Champion Novice Hurdle, and connections are excited to go chasing this season.
“I love the horse,” Elliott told the Racing Post.
“I think he’s very good and I’ve been looking forward to getting him over fences since his bumper days.”
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Death Duty was already well beaten before falling at the last in the Albert Bartlett, but could land Festival glory next March.
A novice hurdle winner at Grade Three, Two and One level, he has always been thought highly of for owners Gigginstown and will be aimed towards Cheltenham glory this time around.
He is currently priced at 16-1 for the RSA Chase at the Festival, a market led by multiple Grade One winning hurdler Yanworth.
The RSA is one of few races that has eluded Gordon Elliott, and has often been a key Gold Cup trial with Lord Windermere and Bobs' Worth landing the double in recent years. Last season's impressive winner Might Bite is fancied for that double in the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Death Duty looks to be the one to beat in today's challenge, with bookmakers installing him as short at 1-3 to make a winning debut over fences.
His principal rival is Willie Mullins' Cap D'Aubois, who also makes his chasing debut, he was rated 137 over hurdles.
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