Russell Bounces Back with a Double

Out of action for six weeks after breaking his wrist at Ballinrobe in July, and on his fourth day back in the fold, Davy Russell was among the winners again, when I Don't Know defied top-weight in the Ladbrokes Ireland Handicap Hurdle.

Mark Fagan 's mare was held up but she looked a winner as soon as she went second two out. Soon in front, the 9/1 chance went on to account for Westways by two and a half lengths.

The Mullingar trainer, who has the Deravarra gallops, was registering his sixth winner in all here and it was I Don't Know who set the ball rolling for him at Punchestown in 2006.

He said: "Davy gave her a lovely ride, he switched her off out the back. I felt she was well-handicapped, she was unlucky here in June as she was coming to challenge My Valley when she fell two out. She is generally a good jumper and we'll bring her back for another handicap and may go over fences with her before we breed from her next year."

Russell went on to complete a 64/1 double half-an-hour later on Declan Leigh's Mullicagh Lass who bolted-up by eighteen lengths in the Lynch's Bakery Handicap Hurdle.

Leigh commented of the locally bred six-year-old, who comes from the family of Barton Bank: "She is a lot better on this type of ground and the key to her is to run her fresh so we will give her a break." (EM)