Russell makes most of opportunity

Davy Russell got an unexpected boost to his jockey's championship bid when successfully replacing the injured Shay Barry aboard Is Herself About in the Thurles Mares Maiden Hurdle.

The 12/1 victory was described as “an important winner for me” by Russell as he gained alot of his early riding experience from winning Piltown trainer David O'Brien.

“I spent my summers with David and his father Frank when I was a young fella, and David really taught me how to ride. This is my first winner for him so it's great,” said Russell.

Barry missed out on the winning mount due to a thumb injury sustained when Ballinahow Lady fell at the final fence in the Glen Chase. Chaperoned looked set to justify prohibitive odds of 1/4 in this two mile maiden for four and five year olds when striking the front at the penultimate flight.

However no sooner than the hot favourite hit the front she found very little under pressure, and Is Herself About took it up before the last to beat Chasing Shadows (8/1) by three quarters of a length. The Folkes Choice (10/1) was another eight and a half lengths adrift in third, while Chaperoned ultimately finished a very disappointing fourth.