Back on board: Davy Russell to ride Gigginstown runners at the weekend

An apparent rift between Davy Russell and Gigginstown appears to have been resolved after it was confirmed the jockey would ride the ownership giant's horses at Punchestown this weekend.

On Friday, Eddie O'Leary, of Gigginstown, said: "Davy Russell is riding for us this weekend. We've all had a chat and he is back on for us now. We don't retain Davy or anyone, and when Jack Kennedy is back we will be using him, Davy, Sean Flanagan, Rachael Blackmore, Mark Walsh, Robbie Power – the best available. A panel of jockeys."

Russell will be aboard Battleoverdoyen in the the Florida Pearl Novice Chase (2.50) and Barra in the Grabel Mares Hurdle (1.05) on Sunday. He will also take the ride on Eclair De Beaufeu in the Craddockstown Novice Chase (1.25) on Saturday.

Balko Des Flos ridden by Davy Russell is led into the the winner's enclosure by Michael O'Leary after victory in the Ryanair ChaseCredit: Michael Steele

Speaking in his Star Sports column, Russell said: "There has been plenty written and said over the last few days about my relationship with Gigginstown and because I ride a few for them this weekend I am now supposedly ‘back in favour’.

"As I have said all along, there was never a falling out and they use a big pool of very talented jockeys with no single retained first rider.

"It’s completely up to them who they choose to be on their horses and, from my point of view, I’m just delighted to ride them when asked.

"I think a fair mountain has been made out of a molehill and it’s just nice to be able to move on."

On Tuesday, Gigginstown supremo Michael O'Leary said he had not fallen out with Russell, despite only electing to use him on two occasions since the Galway festival in July, but that the jockey's likely bookings aboard other horses in Cheltenham Festival races meant he would be looking elsewhere.

"A lot of these horses don't need Davy Russell on them," O'Leary said. "We do everything we can to give every horse the best chance of winning, and I wouldn't be taking Davy off our horses if there wasn't a good reason for it. I'm not wedded to him."

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