Super Duke of Firenze secures Knavesmire double

Duke Of Firenze (left) ridden by jockey David Allan on the way to winning the Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Handicap during day two of the Dante Festival at York Racecourse

Despite being 13lb higher than when striding to victory in the five-furlong dash 12 months ago, the evergreen eight-year-old showed a touch of class to give weight away all round.

He was ridden by David Allan who nominated the Grade One Nunthorpe Stakes at York’s Ebor meeting in August as a possible target.

The horse is trained at Bawtry by David Griffiths who excels with top class sprinters – his stable star is Take Cover.

“I’m delighted with that. He will go the Dash at Epsom next and then he’s entered in a Group Two in Ireland,” said a visibly elated Griffiths.

“We have hit a patch of form in the last four to six weeks which I can’t really explain. It’s swings and roundabouts because we had a bad end to last year.

“This horse is a legend but I was concerned by all the rain yesterday. He loves it here. I’m chuffed to bits we’ve won here again.”