Sunday 15 April 2018 17:10, UK
Davy Russell made his first ride since landing the Grand National on Tiger Roll a winning one when scoring on Decision Time at Tramore.
Congratulated by well-wishers on his way to partner the John Kiely-trained seven-year-old, Russell gave Decision Time a patient ride in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.
He brought the 13-8 favourite with a perfectly-timed run, after being held up for most of the race, to lead just before the final flight.
Beliou Le Fume put in a late bid, but Decision Time was three-quarters of a length too good at the line. Long-time leader Kiera Royale was three and a half lengths away in third.
Kiely said: "It's a thrill to be able to give Davy his first winner after yesterday. I doubted that he would turn up today, because he was dragged here and there and everywhere!
"He gave Tiger Roll a great ride. It's lovely to witness sport like this."
He added of the winner: "She is a nice mare, she would probably like better ground, but she is after winning over hurdles now, which is nice."
Russell's winning spree continued when he completed a quick double courtesy of Monatomic in the Waterford & Tramore Racecourse Family Fun Afternoon Maiden Hurdle.
From the National-winning team of owners Gigginstown House Stud and trainer Gordon Elliott, Monatomic (9-2) jumped into the lead at the second-last and looked set for a smooth success.
However, the pack closed in and in the end the five-year-old was all out to hold Kingsteel and Touch Base by a short head and the same in a driving finish.
Russell said: "I was a winner everywhere, but the line was my most worrying point.
"He just lugged out a little bit, I'd say he was watching the horse on his outside.
"It's grand to get a mark for him now, as he had been struggling."
Russell was out of luck on his other three rides, the first of which was on Lieutenant Colonel for the Tiger Roll connections. He had to settle for fourth spot on the nine-year-old in the feature Waterford & Tramore Racecourse Annual Members Chase won by the Michael Bowe-trained High Nellie (5-1). Then he was third on Consharon Boy for Terence O'Brien in the Waterford & Tramore Racecourse Directors Handicap Chase behind Just Get Cracking (7-1), trained by James Dullea. It was a low-key end to the day for Russell, with Bellgrove finishing out of the money in the Sponsor Arace At Tramore Racecourse Handicap Chase as Joxer (12-1) took the prize.
