Russet digs deep to justify on-course support

Johnny Murtagh has started 2016 in flying form and registered a 71/1 double with Russet and Maronella in Dundalk last night.

Russet provided jockey Colin Keane with his first success of the New Year, justifying on-course support (16/1 to 7/1) in the seven-furlong fillies maiden.

The daughter of Rip Van Winkle had to dig deep for Keane to get the better of Touch Of Gold by a half-length, prompting the delighted trainer to explain: “She’s very, very genuine and is improving all the time.