Davy Russell bounced back in the best possible fashion, after a couple of heavy falls, when landing the Connolly's Red Mills Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park aboard Siegemaster
The Gigginstown rider had crashed out on Mossbank at Thurles yesterday and after passing the doctor today found himself on the floor again in the opener when Rocky Wednesday fell.
Any aches or pains were soon forgotten as Siegemaster produced a game performance under top-weight to land the €90,000 feature event. Alpha Ridge proved the one for money (6/1 into 9/2f on course) in the three-miler and looked set for victory after making much of the running.
He kicked clear before the straight and looked to have plenty left, under Barry Geraghty.
The distress signals went up after a slow jump at the third last, however, as the pack closed.
Siegemaster got upsides at the next and landed in the lead as Ballytrim and Bella Mana Mou also pushed hard.
It was The Midnight Club who proved the biggest threat on the run-in, but Russell got a good tune from the Dessie Hughes-trained gelding as he stuck his neck out to prevail by
It was a first success in the historic race for Hughes, who had finished third in the saddle when parterning subsequent Gold Cup winner Davy Lad in 1977.
The winner had been outclassed in the Lexus last time but had run well on his last handicap start when fourth in the Troytown Chase at Navan.
"He had a fairly good run in the Troytown when carrying 11st10lb," said Hughes afterwards.
"He was upsides with Whinstone Boy at the last in this last year and was a lot better off at the weights with him today.
"We'll probably look at the Irish National for him now."
