Treble brings Russell’s tally to seven winners in three days
Russell, now seven behind Paul Townend (successful later om Gentle Alice) in the title-race, carried the colours of his boss Michael O’Leary (Gigginstown House Stud) on Stonemaster and Westmeath, which booked his ticket to Cheltenham’s Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle when scoring a facile success in the opening maiden hurdle.
Westmeath, always well-regarded, is trained by Paul Nolan, who commented: “Davy says he’s still very green but I don’t mind that as long as they’re winning!”
Nolan added: “He was injured after his run in Ballinrobe early last summer — he hurt his back — so he was late having his first run back, which wasn’t ideal. The way he jumped today, there’s definitely nothing wrong with his back. He had to win today to justify going to Cheltenham.”
Russell followed-up when Stonemaster gained an overdue and deserved win in the Ballsbridge Hurdle, collaring front-running Made In Taipan to score by two lengths, after the challenging Psycho crashed at the final flight.
“It’s nice to win with him, because it’s so hard for second season novices,” said winning trainer Dessie Hughes. “It was a good performance, under his penalty. I’m very happy to win with him but there’s only one more race for him before Punchestown, a two mile, six furlongs race in Cork.
“His owner’s idea was not to give him too hard a time this season. He’s only six and should be a proper horse next year over fences.”
Sent off a strong 9/4 favourite. Pittoni, trained by Charles Byrnes for Paddy Wilmott, landed the www.leopardstown,com Handicap Handicap Hurdle in convincing style to give Russell his third victory of the day.
The Peintre Celebre gelding quickened well approaching the final flight to win well from Cass Bligh and Doctor Deejay. When asked about a possible trip to Cheltenham for the five-year-old trainer Byrnes commented: “He wants real soft ground and Cheltenham ground wouldn’t be soft enough for him. Anyway, he didn’t travel over well last year.”
