Shop Dj gets punters off on the right foot
Offers as high as 11-4 found favour and Peter Fahey’s charge was supported through all the rates to 13-8 favouritism.
She was given plenty to do by Russell, but those who waded in had no real cause for concern, as the in-form pilot had the timing spot-on.
Shop Dj eased into contention approaching the straight, cruised ahead going to the last and had clearly taken the measure of Golden Sunbird when that one shipped a heavy fall at the obstacle.
Said Fahey: “She will go for all those black-type mares’ races now. We won’t abuse her over the winter, she wants good ground.”
Rivage D’Or, a horse who often failed to deliver in the past, got a fine drive from Russell to take the www.thurlesraces.ie Beginners Chase.
Again partnered with patience, Dessie Hughes’ charge was pulling double over his rivals early in the straight and only had to be pushed out between the last two fences to beat Toon River with a bit in hand.
Said Hughes: “He ran a bit free at Tipperary the last day and needs to be dropped in. This is an out-and-out three miler.”
The Russell treble was completed when Charles Byrnes’ Sea Of Thunder was much too good for his opponents in the Cashel Maiden Hurdle.
Russell was supremely confident and only had to nudge the winner going to the penultimate obstacle to score hard-held from Back In A Tic.
“He was knocking on the door and entitled to win”, said Byrnes. “He will stay hurdling now, but would have been sent over fences if failing to do the business here.”
If Russell can remain sound for the greater part off the campaign, he surely has his best chance ever of being champion jockey for the first time.
He is currently the clear leader on 44 for the season, 11 ahead of both Barry Geraghty and Paul Carberry.
Jim Culloty’s Barrel Of Laughs, who got off the mark over fences in a beginners chase at Tipperary, produced a good performance to take the Horse And Jockey Handicap Chase.
Given an excellent ride by Tom Doyle, Barrel Of Laughs arrived near the post to grab the flattering Model County Lass.
“He ran 17 days ago and is only five, so will be given a month’s rest now”, reported Culloty. “Hopefully, he will keep on improving.”
The layers, badly in need of some oxygen, got it in the Killinan three-year-old Hurdle with victory going to the unconsidered 33-1 shot, Thegondolier.
Enterprisingly handled by Alan Crowe, the winner went on early on the final circuit, crossing the line eight lengths in front of heavily-backed favourite, Solaras Exhibition.
Trainer, Paddy Prendergast, said: “He is the only horse I have for hurdles. I thought he’d win at Punchestown, but jumped a bit stupid.
“I’m hoping this will be a Bord Na Mona horse for Leopardstown at Christmas, but he is for sale.”
Solaras Exhibition was disappointing, never looking particularly happy and failing to pick up when required by Russell.
