Inspirational Russell rides to the rescue on Rivage

It’s 15 months since Davy Russell was jettisoned as retained rider by the Gigginstown Stud for Bryan Cooper.

These are two jockeys whose stories refuse to be separated when it comes to Cheltenham and the month of March.

Rewind 12 months to the day, and Russell was in the midst of a difficult Festival in which he would fall three times and suffer from a surfeit of confidence, but it was a horror smash for Cooper on the Wednesday that would change his fortunes.