Russell: Hard to be ecstatic as he did what I expected him to do
At Leopardstown on Saturday he got off the mark in the Grade 1 Hennessy Gold Cup when driving Sir Des Champs to a length and three parts defeat of Flemenstar and then yesterday celebrated by attending his first ever rugby match, as Ireland went under to England at the Aviva Stadium.
Reflecting on Sir Des Champs’ teak-tough display at Leopardstown, Russell said: “It is hard to be ecstatic, because he did what I expected him to do.
“He felt a lot better than in the Lexus, he was just a different horse, sharper and more alert.”
Russell believes Sir Des Champs has lots in reserve. “I’d say for sure he’ll improve. He must have improved about 15lbs so far this season and there is plen ty more to come.”
Sir Des Champs has won on both occasions he’s visited the Cheltenham festival and that has to be a source of comfort for his rider?
Said Russell: “He’s the type of horse who loves atmosphere, who loves the big day. His blood, like mine, will be boiling when he gets to Cheltenham.
“But you still have to be in control and, as an animal, he is well able to do just that. Some horses can’t handle it, but he will.”
Many pundits think the three and a quarter miles of the Gold Cup is what’s required to bring out the best in Sir Des Champs and it’s a theory with which Russell doesn’t disagree. “Well, it’s definitely not a negative anyway.”
He is adamant the Gold Cup will very much play to the strengths of Sir Des Champs. “I never intended to make it a massive test of stamina on Saturday”, said Russell.
“But when he is singing along, in a competitive race, then that is when you will see the horse at his best.
“The more competitive the race the better he will be. You saw how good he was at Cheltenham last year (won the Jewson), and the harder they go and, when I get stuck into him, it is then you will see the real Sir Des Champs.”
The probability of good ground at Cheltenham, he regards as an obvious plus. “It would be a big help, to both his jumping and stamina.”
Interestingly, growing up, Russell never gave any great thought to actually winning the Gold Cup.
“I regard that as fairytale stuff. I’m still a long, long way from winning the race, but it is great to be going there with a horse capable of having a right cut.”
Yesterday, he was due to ride at Naas, but when the meeting was cancelled, grabbed the opportunity to head to the rugby with his girlfriend, the former Irish record holder for the pole vault, Edelle O’Meara.
So how did he snaffle two tickets, at such short notice?
Well, given the dreadful weather forecast, he anticipated that Naas would go west and so contacted his good friend, the Irish wing forward, Sean O’Brien.
“I’m friends with Sean, as is my agent, Frosty Kelly”, revealed Russell. “Sean loves his racing and looked after me.
“He has a great interest in the game and in point-to-points, it gets his mind off the rugby. The Tullow Tank is called after him.”
The Tullow Tank is trained by Philip Fenton and made a promising debut when fourth behind Legal Exit in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown last month.
Best prices on the Gold Cup yesterday were: 7-2 Bobs Worth, 5-1 Sir Des Champs, 6-1 Silviniaco Conti, 7-1 Long Run and 14-1 bar.
*The meeting scheduled for Down Royal tomorrow has been cancelled, after the course was found to be waterlogged yesterday.
