DAVY RUSSELL: Weekend Blog

I came over to Ayr for three rides on Friday and can’t complain with the good runs from both Motown Maggie and Coach Carter who both went really well to finish second for Gordon (Elliott).

I don’t think there is anything wrong with the form of the yard at the moment. It happens each year between the big festival meetings as we run the more high calibre runners at the bigger meetings.

I’m travelling back to Ireland tonight (Friday) and looking forward to three nice rides in Fairyhouse on Sunday before finalising plans for Aintree next week. Keep tuned for my video previews and blogs next week.

The Scottish Grand National on Saturday looks as competitive as ever. My two against the field would be Kitty’s Light from the Christian Williams yard who had a nice winner on Friday’s card here and The Wolf for Olly Murphy.  This one seemed to love the step up in trip the last day and should still be travelling when a few of them have cried enough.

SUNDAY

FAIRYHOUSE

1:15 Level Neverending

Congrats To Nina, Our Local Star Maiden Hurdle (Div I) 2m 4f

Level Neverending showed good bumper form for Joseph (O’Brien) and just failed for me at Wexford on his hurdling debut when we were beaten a neck by In From The Cold. It was very much first day at school for him as he was a bit novicey and hung left but should have come on bundles and it would be disappointing if he can’t step up to get a piece of this.

3:30 Ash Tree Meadow

awardsandgifts.ie Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 4f

He’s been so consistent this season but the question is now whether Ash Tree Meadow can handle the step up in grade. He gave me a great feel when winning his maiden hurdle in Navan at the top of the year but was disappointing that we couldn’t finish a little closer to The Little Yank in Thurles. They finished well strung out that day. Quite a few of these are in the same boat as us in that they are dipping their toes in at the deep end so it’ll just be down to which one can step up to the mark.

4:05 Dartington

Tom Quinlan Electrical Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m

This fella had some good form on the flat (pictured below) when trained in England and made a pleasing debut for us on St Stephen’s Day in Leopardstown when fourth. Dartington won well for me in Navan the last day when the ground was heavy. It’s quicker ground forecast here but he handled that well in his flat days and although he’s up in class hopefully we can get competitive.

Good Luck
Davy

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