Russell returns with treble
Martin missed the contest, having decided to go to Aintree instead. Quipped Russell: “Thank God he wasn’t here, he’d have given me too many instructions!”
Royal County Star was racing off a mark 29lbs below his rating over fences and was given a patient drive by his pilot.
Russell produced him with perfect timing between horses to challenge going to the final flight and the ten-year-old stayed on powerfully on the flat to beat Warcraft.
Said Russell: “I was happy with the horse and he should win again over hurdles, if the handicapper isn’t too hard on him.”
Andrew McNamara took a fall from Kasimali in this contest and was removed to hospital with a possible broken arm. He has been stood down for seven days.
Russell did the business again aboard Keys Pride in the Coolagown EBF Mares Chase. Trainer Stephen Ryan had her in good order, considering this was her first outing since last November.
Keys Pride led over the second last and found enough in the closing stages to hold Shan Brogeen.
Commented Ryan: “She’s the best I have and I can hardly watch her. I just let her off for the winter and brought her back for the spring.
“She’s like a switch, she comes alive in May. Galway is the plan now.”
Heavily-backed Oscar Rebel was travelling well on the heels of the leaders when falling four from home.
Russell completed a 179-1 treble in fortuitous circumstances when replacing McNamara on Archie Boy in the Newberry Beginners chase.
He made the best of the opportunity, powering the 8-1 shot clear to beat Farinelli by six lengths.
Coolcashin, 6-4 to evens, proved most disappointing. Three of the fences down the back were omitted, because of low-lying sun, which may not have played to the strengths of the favourite, but it was still a poor effort.
Tommy Stack’s Tramore bumper winner Wickham Street was a strong favourite for the Mallow Maiden Hurdle and did the business, under a fine drive from Mark Walsh.
Bangonform again flattered to deceive, looking a real possibility for most of the straight, before the winner went past coming away from the final flight.
Fozzy Stack represented his father and said: “He slipped into the first couple of hurdles and lost his confidence a bit. That’s it now and you won’t see him until later in the year.”
Harro The Hero, runner-up behind Cousin Vinny at Leopardstown at Christmas, but a big disappointment back at Leopardstown subsequently, returned to his best in the Scarragh Maiden Hurdle.
He was in front three out, but looked in trouble when Plunkett ranged up between the final two flights.
Robert Power got a generous response from Harro The Hero, however, and he outbattled Plunkett on the run in.
Pat Fahy, who had a welcome winner with Washingon Lad at Killarney, was on the mark again when Rudigreen took the Firville Handicap Hurdle.
Partnered by Conor O’Farrell, real value for 7lbs, he won this with any amount in hand.
Pushed ahead early in the straight, Rudigreen soon bounded clear to score by nine lengths and surely faces a substantial hike in the weights in the future.
The Bumper went to 33-1 shot Chu Chu Thomas, who ran away from Blue Monster and Swift Lord in the last two furlongs.
