The Cooper family owned Our Duke is anticipated to have another racecourse school before he returns to the fray in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 4.

Leading lady trainer Jessica Harrington’s Irish Grand National winner started this season as theoretically one of the main challengers to stablemate Sizing John in the top staying chases division.

Though, he disappointed on his seasonal reappearance at Down Royal in November and it was later established to be suffering from a back problem.

“The plan is Leopardstown at the moment, I schooled him after racing at Punchestown last week and he felt fantastic” “We’ll get another racecourse school into him between now and then and hopefully, if all goes well, he’ll go to Leopardstown. insisted jockey Robbie Power

“It could be a blessing. Going to Cheltenham and the spring, you don’t want to have had a hard winter and maybe missing a few tough battles will stand him in good stead later in the year. “added Robbie power.