Davy Russell had to pass the doctor before being allowed to ride on Friday but he was determined not to miss out on Siegemaster (16-1) winning the Connolly's Red Mills Thyestes Chase at Gowran.

Russell was given a kicking when Mossbank tumbled out of the Kinloch Brae Chase on Thursday but the doughty jockey showed yet again the grit and determination of the men in the saddle.

Dessie Hughes' 10-year-old was carrying top-weight in a contest in which he finished third 12 months ago and after joining Alpha Ridge at the second-last, he held on to beat the fast finishing The Midnight Club by three-quarters of a length.

Hughes said: "It's great to finally win it, I'd never won it as a jockey or trainer before today.

"He had a fairly good run in the Troytown when carrying 11st 10lb.

"He was upsides with Whinstone Boy at the last when third in this last year and was a lot better off at the weights with him today, so he had a chance.

"The older he gets the easier it is for him to carry these big weights.

"We put the blinkers on him in the Irish National last year for the first time and he ran a hell of a race until he fell when he got tired. His half-brother Our Vic won some big races in blinkers.

"We'll probably look at the Irish National for him now and there might be something before then for him. He might go to Aintree next year."< Mourad (4-9 favourite) once again showed he will be no pushover for Big Buck's in the World Hurdle in March after a smooth success in the Galmoy Hurdle.

Paul Townend cruised around on Willie Mullins' six-year-old and was not extended in beating Moskova by six lengths.

"He seems to be improving and looks to be getting stronger with age," said Mullins.

"He did that on ground that I don't think he particularly likes and he'll be better on better ground.

"Paul was very cool on him. It's looks like we are on track for the World Hurdle."