Hands-on Russell keeps Tofino Bay going to land Troytown

The Dessie Hughes-trained novice Tofino Bay landed the €80,000 Ladbrokes Troytown Handicap Chase in gruelling conditions in Navan yesterday.

The nine-year-old, having only his third run over fences, held the late challenge of Like Your Style by a half-length as champion-jockey Davy Russell kept his mount going by using his right hand instead of his whip, which he dropped as the leaders bypassed the final fence. He later reported: “My hand is in bits.”

Tofino Bay’s big-race success crowned a tremendous day for Michael O’Leary and Gigginstown House Stud, also successful with high-class novices Don Cossack and Sword Of Destiny. The trio provided champion jockey Davy Russell with a superb treble.