Russell bags double on Stacks Mountain

Stacks Mountain needed every yard of the three handicap hurdle in Punchestown to give Davy Russell a double on the card.

The 4-1 favourite outbattled The Red Menace in the closing stages to land the spoils for Henry de Bromhead by a head.

He was driven along in third by Russell approaching the home bend as Stacks Mountain travelled best in second just behind Presentingprincess

The Red Menace took over turning in as The Red Menace was ridden in second by Russell before the final flight.

Stacks Mountain grabbed a narrow lead on the run-in and had to dig deep to put away a rallying The Red Menace (13/2) by a head.

Presentingprincess was five lengths adrift in third at 10/1.

Henry de Bromhead said: “He’s really finding his feet now and obviously the trip suits him down to the ground. He’s a lovely horse and is improving all the time.

“He’s taken a while to come to himself and has had a few niggly things over the years. It was a brilliant ride by Davy who is really riding out of his skin.

“I was going to go chasing but we’ll reconsider now. I’ll speak to John (Byrne, owner) and see what options are coming up.”

Stacks Mountain was following up on a victory in a three mile maiden hurdle last month.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee