DAVY RUSSELL blog: Cheltenham Day Four Friday

Thursday was just one of those days when nothing went right. I felt I was travelling nicely into the Ryanair Chase aboard Conflated and he just buckled on landing at the second last. That was enough for me for the day as I was just a little bit sore but I will be back on Friday and fighting fit for Gold Cup day.

Before racing I caught up with Bill Esdaile with some more reflections on Tiger Roll’s retirement ….

TIGER ROLL – THE HORSE OF MY LIFETIME – CLICK HERE

FRIDAY

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

FIL DOR (1.30pm JCB Triumph Hurdle)

If I’m honest it was a real hard choice between Fil Dor (pictured below) and Pied Piper. All the rain that came on Wednesday just persuaded me to stick with Fil Dor as he’s a real good stayer who relishes bad ground. Listen, the more it dries out then the better chance Pied Piper has as he was a real good flat horse. The weather is set to be better on Thursday and Friday and that made the decision a lot harder. The more of a test of stamina the race is the better Fil Dor’s chance. If it becomes a test of speed, then Pied Piper has a serious chance on the back of his run at the track the last day. Obviously, Willie’s horse Vauban is the one we all have to beat and it will be tough to reverse the Leopardstown form. One thing I would say is that there are a whole bunch of really good English horses including Porticello, Knight Salute and Doctor Parnassus who may not be as far behind the Irish as everyone thinks.

TOP BANDIT (2.10pm County Hurdle)

Next up I ride Top Bandit who I won on here last October on good ground. He has won a couple of times since in Punchestown and was particularly impressive the last day. He’s improving and has a nice racing weight but could do with the ground drying out a little. It’s as competitive a race as you would have thought with the likes of the well-regarded State Man, not to mention last week’s easy Sandown winner Surprise Package. I won on Call Me Lyreen in Leopardstown and although he’s plenty of weight, Rob James takes off a useful 7lbs.

2.50pm Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

I’ve no ride in the Albert Bartlett where we saddle Ginto who must have a serious chance. He was really good in the Grade One Lawlor’s Of Naas when last seen back in January and has a fair bit of class. He’ll have to be on his A game though to beat Henry Daly’s horse. Hillcrest really impressed me here on New Year’s Day and again showed he’s got some engine the last day in Haydock. I guess he wouldn’t want this ground to dry out too much I think he’s the one to beat.

GALVIN (3.30pm Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup)

The big race of the day, the big race of the week. The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. I’ve been lucky enough to win it before and I count myself very lucky to have been given the chance to have another serious crack at it. I’m very lucky to have the support of good people like Gordon (Elliott) and Ronnie (Bartlett) and a horse like Galvin (pictured below). He was brilliant in Leopardstown at Christmas and has delighted us at home since. This requires another big step up, but we know he loves it around here and he is a real good stayer. Last year’s 1-2 Minella Indo and A Plus Tard obviously set the bar really high while Protektorat is the new one thrown in here with so much potential. It’s just very exciting to be part of a race like this and I’m looking forward to it.

4.10pm Hunters’ Chase

The race after the Gold Cup is always the Hunters’ Chase and I’d say Billaway, last year’s second, will get the job done this time. I think the Mullins camp are pretty sweet on his chances now that cheekpieces seem to be helping him see out his races.

MOUNT IDA (4.50pm Mares’ Chase)

My final mount of the meeting is Mount Ida who won the Kim Muir at this meeting from an impossible position 12 months ago. She jumped badly to her right that day and got a long way back before staying on really well. She’ll have to be on a going day here and if she is in touch has a serious chance. We beat Elimay the last day, but she has been good since and will be hard to beat.

5.30pm Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle

The last race is for the lads and is always a race that Gordon is keen to win because of his association with Martin Pipe. I’d say he’s giving it a fair crack this time with six runners. The pick on paper looks to be Hollow Games who is Jordan’s (Gainford) choice. He brings some Grade One form to the table and is a very good stayer. I’m also a fan of Chemical Energy who is another with a bright future. It does look competitive though with last year’s runner-up Langer Dan looking the obvious threat.

Best Of Luck
DAVY

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Star Sports has pledged its support to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal by announcing it will donate £10,000 for every winner that brand ambassador Davy Russell rides at this week’s Cheltenham Festival.

The leading Jump jockey, who has ridden 22 Cheltenham Festival winners, has another strong book of rides at this year’s meeting, including Pied Piper in Friday’s Triumph Hurdle and if he manages to add to his tally, Star Sports will donate £10,000 for every horse he rides to victory.

If Davy doesn’t ride a winner in any of the 28 races, Star Sports have stated they will still make a significant contribution to the Ukraine Appeal.

Luke Tarr, Head of PR at Star Sports, said: “While we’re very much looking forward to the Cheltenham Festival this week, we can’t ignore what’s happening elsewhere in the world.

“We are pledging our support for the Ukraine Appeal by donating £10,000 for every winner our brand ambassador and leading jockey Davy Russell rides during the week.

“He’s got some great rides to look forward to and hopefully he’ll make his way to the winners’ enclosure on a couple of occasions, but even if he doesn’t, we will still give generously to the cause.”

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STAR PROMOTIONS

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