Keep Russell on your side

DAVY RUSSELL is the man to have on your side at Cork this afternoon.

He has possibilities of a treble, headed by Won In The Dark in the J P McManus Hurdle.

Sabrina Harty’s gelding looked an unlucky loser on this track earlier in the month. He was travelling strongly in the straight when making a terrible blunder three out.

Won In The Dark was then challenging again when also getting it wrong at the last and was eventually beaten three lengths into third behind Oneeightofamile.

The pair renew rivalry here and, despite the fact Oneeightofamile is now 5lbs better in, preference is for his rival.

Russell can guide Michael Winters’ Rebel Fitz to victory in the opening corkracecourse.ie Maiden Hurdle. The dual bumper winner was left with far too much to do at Listowel in June when beaten five and a half lengths into second by 25-1 shot, Mr Sykes.

Russell can take the www.mallow.ie Hurdle aboard the Conor O’Dwyer trained Ninth Legion.

He was outclassed and beaten five lengths by Sicilian Secret at Ballinrobe, but this is easier and moving up another half a mile in trip can only work in the selection’s favour.

At Naas Ted Walsh’s Royal Reveille gets the nap in the SlimZone Supporting Jack And Jill Hurdle. He is on the upgrade, taking a modest maiden at Roscommon and then a competitive handicap at Galway last week.

The frustrating Secretary Of State is fancied to get off the mark in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden.