DAVY RUSSELL: Cheltenham Weekend Preview & O’Brien & O’Connor Tributes

There’s some top-class action to be savoured over the next couple of days at Cheltenham, and one horse I’m particularly looking forward to seeing is Old Park Star. He could be a bit special over fences and having horses of his calibre to look forward to is really exciting, writes DAVY RUSSELL.

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TOM O’BRIEN

It was very sad news about Tom, and it’s incredibly tough on his wife and two sons. Tom was a hell of a guy. He was very kind, always in great form and all told he was a great man to be around.

He was very dedicated, and he rode to a very high standard. He rode two Cheltenham Festival winners, a couple of Welsh Grand National winners and many other big winners over fences and hurdles.

All my sympathy goes out to his family and friends.

DEREK O’CONNOR

Derek was one of the greatest amateur riders that we will ever see. He broke record after record and all through his career he rode to a hugely high standard. I have no doubt at all that if he wanted to become professional, he could have.

Derek and I shared a house in Eugene O’Sullivan’s when we were very young. He had an incredibly patient way of riding horses through a race. The beauty of his style was that you wouldn’t notice him until it came down to the business end of a race. He had a beautiful pair of hands and horses jumped exceptionally well for him. Day after day he produced the goods.

At this later stage of his career, he ended up as champion point-to-point rider in the last season he rode. It sums up the man that in his 44th year, he probably rode better than ever.

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CHELTENHAM

SATURDAY

I think CHARLES DARNAY will be very hard to beat in the Grade 2 Triumph Trial (1:10pm). He left behind a couple of very sloppy early jumps when winning impressively at Wetherby on his hurdles debut. He beat Minella Rocket there, and it looks like the best bit of form on offer. The other I’d keep an eye on is Admiral Will Brown, who was very impressive at Down Royal two weeks ago and I’d say he still has plenty of improvement left in his locker.

OLD PARK STAR makes his eagerly awaited chasing debut in the Grade 2 Arkle Trial (1:45pm). He was so impressive over hurdles last season, including of course winning the Supreme at the Festival, but physically he looked like he would make a better chaser than a hurdler. Nicky Henderson knows what it takes to get a horse prepared for the Arkle. For me, this is the horse that I’m really looking forward to seeing this season.

The Paddy Power Gold Cup (2:20pm) looks like a great renewal. JP McManus is really well represented with his two runners, Meetmebythesea and Johnnywho, but the one that caught my eye was JULY FLOWER. She was really good last season as a novice chaser and won the Arkle Trial at this meeting. She’s very consistent and I do feel that her first run in a handicap could bring out the best in her. Stepping back up to two-and-a-half miles on a nice bit of good ground won’t inconvenience her. I think she should have a good chance.

SUNDAY

The Greatwood Hurdle (3:20pm) looks a fascinating race. JP McManus once again has a strong hand, with Iberico Lord at the top of the weights, but near the bottom is his other runner, HARRY LOWES. He comes from the all-conquering Dan Skelton yard and looks to be a standout contender. He brings some good form from last season to the table and gets in here off a lovely racing weight of 10st 12lbs. He could be ahead of his mark, and he’d be my pick for a yard in flying form.

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Davy Russell – Star Sports Ambassador

Davy Russell is one of the biggest names in National Hunt racing. The retired Irish jockey was crowned Irish Champion Jockey three times and enjoyed a glittering career, winning the Grand National twice, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris.

Best known for his legendary partnership with Tiger Roll, Russell remains a hugely respected voice in the sport. As Star Sports ambassador, he provides expert opinions, exclusive insights and race previews, bringing his wealth of experience to the biggest meetings in the racing calendar.

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STAR PROMOTIONS