Cross-country drama as Rivage D'Or wins
Wednesday 11 March 2015 17:40, UK
Rivage D'Or avoided a melee at the second-last fence to win the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase and complete a double on the day for Davy Russell.
The Tony Martin-trained 16/1 chance had it all to prove on this unique course, but having gone into the second-last fence in sixth place, the picture changed suddenly when French raider Toutancarmont swerved and took out the strong-travelling Quantitativeeasing, the pair crashing through the running rail and into a helpless photographer.
Russell, who had been cool throughout, suddenly cruised into second place and a good jump at the final obstacle saw him come home two and a quarter lengths ahead of Any Currency (7/1).
Veteran Uncle Junior (20/1) was a length back in third, with Dogora (20/1) staying on from well back to reward each-way supporters in fourth.
The photographer, Patrick McCann of the Racing Post, was reported to have suffered a suspected broken leg in the incident - he was taken away from the course in an ambulance.
Russell said: "I enjoyed that immensely. The horse was brilliant. He (Martin) is a dangerous man around here.
"I didn't have any worries. He'd schooled well the last couple of mornings and he jumped brilliant. I was always going to just tip away with him.
"They sort of cut across me [at the second-last fence]. One of the horses jumped left, but we managed to avoid a bit of the hustle and bustle.
"You must remember that these types of races is how our sport began, so it's great that we're carrying on the tradition like this."
In return, Martin was quick to highlight the role Russell played in the victory.
He said: "Davy's a natural horseman and was the right man for the job.
"Throughout the race we were always happy, it was just a matter of being patient and waiting."
"The horse didn't seem to take to fences, but the owner, being as sporting as he is, said 'Take him back and do what you want with him'.
"We knew he wasn't a Grade One horse, but he was a good jumper from day one.
"We jumped him over a bank and he was a natural for the job, and I said, 'Let's hold him back for this race at the Festival', and it's worked out well.
"You need a horse that's agile, has good speed and wants to attack and have a go at the fences. He does just that."
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