Stars align for Russell in heroic Neptune thriller

IN an interview in the Irish Examiner on Monday, Davy Russell said he wasn’t jumping up and down about anything for the week, but had a fighting chance of a winner.

Well, it duly arrived in the shape of the imposing First Lieutenant, who battled like a lion to narrowly beat Rock On Ruby in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle.

“This was my lucky day,” exclaimed trainer Mouse Morris, an obvious reference to the calamity which struck Oscars Well at the final flight.