Russell "does the trick" as veteran Benno lands chase

Davy Russell doesn’t ride for owner-trainer James Grace often but when he does it’s worth taking note. The pair teamed up to record their second winner from just three runners as Russell proved instrumental in cajoling veteran De Benno to put his best foot forward in the extended 2m1f handicap chase.

“Davy did the trick and that was the first time those tactics have worked on him,” Grace said, beaming in the winner’s enclosure.

“It was his first time riding him and we'd never ridden him from the front before, though in fairness to Mikey Fogarty, when he was riding him he wanted to go to the front but I stopped him as I thought the horse was a bit leary.