DAVY RUSSELL BLOG: Down Royal Saturday
Well, it’s great to be back with my first blog of the new season and it’s been a pretty eventful few months since I last updated you….
My Injury
For those of you that don’t know I injured my neck in a fall at Limerick a few Sundays back which resulted in me requiring surgery on my C6 vertebrae. The doctors did an amazing job and I was home within a few days with my neck and body brace. I’m no longer in any pain and I’m very much up and about doing plenty of exercise. I’d like to say the injury has got me out of helping around the house but sadly that’s not the case 😊! What it does mean is a few months on the sidelines, but I have another X-ray on 5th November so will know a lot more then. I’d also like to thank everyone for all the lovely messages which I’ve been inundated with. It really does mean a lot.
Envoi Allen’s Chasing Debut
You couldn’t have failed to have been impressed by Envoi Allen’s chasing debut at Limerick earlier today. I thought he jumped beautifully and that was just the start you would have wanted for such an exciting horse. People keep asking me what race he will be aimed at for the Cheltenham Festival, but let’s just enjoy him for the time being. We know he is super-talented and he has passed his first day at jumping school with flying colours.
Abacadabras’s defeat in WKD Hurdle
I certainly wasn’t disappointed with Abacadabras’s defeat as he was beaten by a very smart horse in Aspire Tower. I thought he jumped great and travelled really well into the race. He is bound to improve loads for the run and I thought it was very encouraging.
SATURDAY
Down Royal
1.15pm – Tayto Group Maiden Hurdle
I will be fascinated to see how Ballyadam gets on in this maiden hurdle. He is a horse we think plenty of at Gordon’s (Elliott) and won his bumper in the style of a smart one.
2.25pm – Ladbrokes Champion Chase
The first Grade One action of the season where Gordon saddles five of the nine runners. Delta Work is a worthy favourite on the back of a cracking season and he has definitely strengthened up again. I’ve done plenty on Presenting Percy (before I got injured) who took a week or so to settle into Gordon’s but is in great form now. It promises to be a really exciting race.
3.00pm – Lough Construction Ltd Chase
Only the five here where Gordon saddles Samcro and Battleoverdoyen. It looks the perfect starting point for both horses and I guess a lot will come down to whether Willies’ (Mullins) Easy Game just has a fitness edge on the pair.
Wetherby
3.20pm – bet365 Charlie Hall Chase
Looking at the ratings and it would appear pretty hard to oppose Cyrname who is switching to going left-handed. However, Kim Bailey’s Vinndication is a very smart horse in his own right and goes well fresh. He may just be the one to test Cyrname and he’d be the one for me.
DAVY
If you have a question for Davy drop us a line at content@starsportsbet.co.uk and we’ll try and include in the next blog…