1,000 for Russell as Light lands a gamble

Davy Russell recorded his 1,000th career success as he partnered Sea Light to victory in the Copper Face Jacks Handicap Hurdle for trainer Charles Byrnes.

The five-year-old son of Brian Boru was backed like defeat was out of the question, and having opened at 3/1 with Paddy Power this morning, she went from 9/4 to 7/4 clear favourite on-course.

Having raced in mid-division throughout, the bay gelding made progress into third in the early straight, coming through to lead before the last, keeping on well on the run-in to score comfortably by three lengths. Beneficial Spirit ran a fine race to finish second at 20/1 under Andrew Ring for Philip Rothwell, while Spacious Sky was three and three parts of a length back in third under Robbie Colgan for Tony Martin at 12/1.

Davy Russell said afterwards: "I didn't even realise that was my one thousand winner. I couldn't have done it for a better man. He has supported me throughout my career, and he has been with me all the way through.

"This fellow jumped great and the nice ground helped him."