Back Bar justifies favouritism under Russell

Back Bar recorded his first career success on his eleventh start, as he justified favouritism in the Comeragh Handicap Hurdle.

The Gordon Elliott trained gelding was available at 5/1 in early shows (before the defection of Fruits Of Glory), touching 2s on-course before going off a well backed 13/8 chance.

Having raced mainly in third under Davy Russell, the son of Brian Boru eased to the front before two out and kept on well under pressure from before the last, going on to score comfortably by six lengths. Timmie Roe (7/1) kept on to take second under Phillip Enright for Eoghan O'Grady, while Jefferson Davis was another six and a half lengths back in third.

Russell said afterwards: "He's a consistent sort and plugged away well. He is what he is and has scope enough that he might jump a fence.

"He's no world beater, not one of the leading lights, but he'll fill a gap all the same."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee