Leading jockey Davy Russell partnered his 80th winner of the season, 22 clear of nearest rival Ruby Walsh, when steering Ipsos Du Berlais to a hard fought win in the Noel Farrelly Memorial Hurdle at Punchestown today.

Russell had to work hard on the novice who needed plenty of encouragement throughout to eventually get his head before the final flight, staying on well to defeat Western Leader by six and a half lengths.

Afterwards winning trainer Noel Meade stated “I was a little disappointed with the way he travelled through the race but he is dog lazy. Davy said they went very fast, he’s only a novice so I thought it was a very good performance.

“He wants three miles and maybe a bit faster ground and should learn a lot from today.

“I blame myself for his Thurles defeat as he was running back a bit too quick. He ran a good race at Navan and came home well but won’t run for a while now as he has had a hard race there on heavy ground. He’ll get an entry for the 3m novice hurdle at Cheltenham.”