DAVY RUSSELL: Exclusive Weekend Blog

It’s hard to ignore what’s ahead next week but I’m trying hard to stay in the present with some nice rides to look forward to this weekend before travelling to Cheltenham on Monday. Hope you’ve had chance to check out the Pocket Guide PDF with my thoughts on all the big races next week CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD a copy and also check out the Cheltenham Preview Videos CLICK TO HERE TO WATCH THEM.

I’ll save all my latest Cheltenham thoughts for the blogs next week – you can check out my daily exclusive blogs on this site from Monday. But for now, a picture from home of me riding out Galvin this week ahead of his date in the Gold Cup ….

Galvin is looking the part as the Gold Cup looms! pic.twitter.com/CGZ1FRlnoC

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 7, 2022

Ahead of that though racing at Navan and Naas this weekend ….

SATURDAY

NAVAN

2.15 DARTINGTON Mongey Communications Maiden Hurdle (Div II) (5yo+) 2m

Dartington was a dual winner on the flat when trained by Marcus Tregoning and made a really pleasing start for us in Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day when a close up fourth to Watch House Cross. He gave me a nice feel that day and since then he has progressed lovely. A lot of rain about but hopefully not too testing for him. Gordon (Elliott) also runs General Maximus who needs to show us a bit more after his bumper debut in Down Royal.

3.25 JAYCEAN Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Hurdle (5yo+) 2m 6 1/2f

This looks a really decent contest with all seven of the runners having chalked up at least one win. My fella Jaycean won nicely for me here the last day when staying on nicely to beat Hemlock who has run well again since. We weren’t stopping at the end, so the extra trip shouldn’t be a problem and he has done well at home since so shouldn’t be as green as he was on his first start. I think the whole field are dangers including Willie’s (Mullins) Bronn who was pitched in at the deep end in the Grade 1 fought out by Minella Cocooner and Minella Crooner in Leopardstown last month and will find life easier here.

SUNDAY

NAAS

1.45 JACK IN THE BOX Bar One Racing Price Boosts All Favourites At Cheltenham Maiden Hurdle (5yo+) 2m 3f

Jack In The Box is a big raw horse who has taken his time for the penny to drop and can hopefully now start showing the benefit of experience here. He has shown us plenty of promise in both his starts at Punchestown.

2.20 VINA ARDANZA Bar One Racing Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) (4yo+) 2m

A decent field here for the Grade 3 and I’m looking forward to getting back on Vina Ardanza who gave me a narrow win in Thurles back in November. He hasn’t raced since but the short head runner-up Walnut Beach came out to win his next start at Punchestown to hopefully give the form a bit of a boost. He’ll need to improve again as he is up against some more experienced types including the JP pair Slip Of The Tongue and Gypsy Island.

2.55 FESTIVAL D’EX Bar One Racing Bet #10 Get #50 Sign Up Offer For Cheltenham Handicap Hurdle (4yo+) 2m 3f

He might just be needing a little more help from the handicapper. Festival D’ex stays on his mark of 127 and was held at Fairyhouse when a close up sixth. He is knocking on the door and will need to put his best foot forward here but the ground conditions will suit.

3.30 EVER SO COOL Bar One Racing Extra Places Everyday At Cheltenham Handicap Hurdle (4yo+ 80-102) 2m

A huge field but plenty of them seem to be struggling for form and I include our mare Ever So Cool who was well beaten in Thurles last time out.

4.40 BARONERACING.COM Leinster National Handicap Chase (Grade A) (5yo+) 3m 1/2f

No ride for me here but Gordon runs Defi Bleu and Torygraph both towards the bottom of the weights. It’s as wide open as always but Torygraph and Pat Fahy’s Stormy Judge are my two for the short list.

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