Russell has all the answers on What’s Up Doc
He gave the Colm Murphy trained What's Up Doc the perfect drive to beat Mesopotamia and Cuan Na Grai in the Coyle Hamilton Willis Maiden Hurdle at Limerick yesterday, a contest in which the first three attracted significant market support.
It was Russell, however, who had all the answers, producing What's Up Doc with superb timing to come between horses after the last and beat Mesopotamia a short head.
Said Murphy: “He hops off quick ground and we will step him up now. He's a horse who only does enough and is likely to last!”
Murphy recorded a double when Umrigar Lord took the U-Bet Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle for the more than capable Donie Fahy.
The pilot was in no hurry, but brought the seven-year-old through with impeccable timing to ease ahead going to the final flight.
“The last time I came here I thought I'd have three winners and had three seconds”, said Murphy.
He reported Champion Hurdler Brave Inca in excellent shape, following his defeat by Macs Joy at Punchestown.
“It was my own fault, I went to the well once too often”, said Murphy “He remains over hurdles, I have no thoughts whatsoever about sending him over fences.”
In Technicolor, a big order in the morning as high as 11-4 and plenty of 5-2, made no mistake in the moderate Nutec EBF Beginners Chase.
Returned at 6-4, Arthur Moore's gelding completed a double for in-form Russell with the minimum of fuss.
Jumping brilliantly, In Technicolor made all and had little trouble shaking off Slaney Eagle on the approach to the second last.
“Jumping is this horse's strong point”, said Moore. “He liked the ground, but is a big horse and wouldn't want it any faster. We will keep ticking away with him through the summer.”
Richie Kiely, from Dungarvan, rode his 10th winner when Baltimore Hill streaked away with the opening Maiden Hurdle.
“He loved the ground”, said Kiely, after Willie Mullins' gelding had made all to score by 20 lengths.
The son of Mister Lord is owned by the eight-member Ilen Syndicate from Skibbereen and should more than pay his way in the coming months.
Rathkenny, a good servant to the Fermoy yard of Liam O'Brien, enjoyed a third success when taking the ladbrokes.ie Handicap Hurdle.
He came from well off the pace under John Cullen to sweep ahead between the last two flights.
“He wouldn't want it any faster than this”, said O'Brien. “We will keep tipping away with him, but not on real fast ground.”
Shane Kelly, who took out a lcence to train about a year ago, saddled his third winner when Misty's Express took the Patrickswell GAA Hunters Chase.
Kelly, who had about 20 rides without success in point-to-points, is just 22 years-of-age and has six horses in his care at Streamstown, near Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath.
“I rode as a hobby and then decided to take out a licence”, said Kelly. The mare, fourth behind Abram's Brdige at Punchestown last week, redeemed the promise of that effort, staying on strongly close home to beat hot-pot, Five Seven Live.
John Kiely has long been the master of the Bumper and he did it again when newcomer Snap Tie proved far too good for his rivals in the Nutec Flat Race.
Given a typically confident ride by Derek O'Connor, Snap Tie quickened in style inside the furlong pole to easily beat Daramas.
The winner, “for sale” according to his trainer, is by Pistolet Bleu out of that high-class racemare, Aries Girl.
