The riderless Definite Soldier leads the winner On Fiddlers Green over the last in the Connacht National© Photo Healy Racing
Davy Russell continued his excellent run of form, as he landed the feature at Roscommon this evening, thetote.com Connacht National Handicap Chase, aboard On Fiddlers Green
The Henry De Bromhead trained seven-year-old was a convincing winner of the Galway Blazers at the Festival last July, finishing a disappointing tenth when sent off favourite in the Munster National on his next start.
The son of Stowaway was ninth in the race won by Woodland Opera on his return to action at the Punchestown Festival in April, and he was sent off at 8s today from an opening show of 10/1.
Settled behind the leaders, the seven-year-old gelding was fourth with a circuit to race, and came through to lead at the third last fence.
He was pushed along on the approach to the last, and kept on well on the run-in, going on to score by a length and three parts in the colours of owner Declan Ganley.
The 5/1 joint-favourites finished second and third, with the Mark Walsh ridden Auvergnat just a short head in front of Static Jack (backed from 12s last night and from 11/2 on-course). Georges Conn (10/1) completed the placings another eight and a half lengths back in fourth.
Russell, who has now ridden nine winners from twenty-four rides so far this month, said afterwards: "It went lovely, to plan, and the loose horse might have helped me for once as he had something to aim at.
"Credit to Henry, he jumped brilliant and travelled extremely well. I got into a lovely position and it all worked out."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards fined S.J.Mahon, trainer, E350 for lodging a passport in respect of Smokey Joe Joe in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.
B.J. Cooper, rider of Net D'Ecosse (FR) trained by Noel Meade, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a bad mistake at the first fence and pulled up after the fourth last fence.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
