'On fire' Russell boots home three from three

Davy Russell made it three from three in Limerick as Denham Sound (6/1) was a decisive winner of Division One of the two mile five handicap hurdle.

His treble paid 174/1 with the other two winners being An Caisteal Nuadh (4/1) and Knockmaole Boy (4/1).

Denham Sound came to tackle the leader Knockraha King after the second last and had him beaten coming to the last.

She popped over it and asserted on the run-in to score by seven lengths from Knockraha King (7/1) who was half a length in front of Immortal Bridge (13/2).

Trainer Charles Byrnes said: "The man (Davy Russell) is on fire and told me what he was going to do!

"He told me he was going to ride her third or fourth the whole way, there'd be no messing as she is not over-genuine but he made up her mind for her.

"She'll keep going now and the step up in trip and cheekpieces probably helped too. She didn't want to know at Ballinrobe the last day.

"I bought her to sell her but couldn't sell her, and she runs in our family syndicate - everything is for sale, even now!"

Davy Russell added: "She did it well now. She surprised me because she would have an awkward way of carrying her head but she was on form today.

"I think it helped her (step up in trip) because I was able to keep her on the bridle for that bit longer. She was sweet when she was on the bridle.

"I was very lucky coming racing today as I got a bang on the nose this morning (from a yearling) and I rang my wife to say I mightn't go racing and she said 'gees I thought you had very good rides, you better go!' I have to thank her!"

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes