Tag Archive for: Galvin

Retirement may be looming, but Russell all set to go for National gold with Galvin

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Davy Russell will look for the fairytale ending to his surprise comeback when he partners Galvin in the Randox Grand National on Saturday.

Coming out of a three-week retirement from the saddle, the Cheltenham Festival did not produce the storybook return that he had hoped.

Undoubtedly one of the greatest jump jockeys of the modern era, the three-time Irish champion initially announced his retirement after winning on Liberty Dance at Thurles on December 18. But he was back in action for Gordon Elliott at Fairyhouse on January 14 after luckless Jack Kennedy broke his leg for a fifth time.

However, the 43-year-old hurt his back in the run-up to the meeting and left Prestbury Park sore and dejected, standing himself down before the Gold Cup, in which he was due to ride Conflated.

The subplot also proved hurtful, with Conflated’s owner, Gigginstown House Stud boss and Ryanair owner Michael O’Leary declaring he should not have come out of retirement, prompting Russell to retort that he had “about as much respect for Michael O’Leary’s opinion as he has for mine”.

Yet Russell returned this week to answer the call for Elliott and his luck turned on Friday when Gerri Colombe gave him a dream Grade One ride with a facile success in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase.

Having twice landed the Grand National with Tiger Roll, he admits he may not prolong his comeback much further than the weekend, where he rides the classy nine-year-old for the Summerhill handler.

Owned by Ronnie Bartlett, the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase runner-up will shoulder a mighty 11st 11lb in the four-and-a-quarter-mile marathon, which gives his jockey cause for concern, even if tactics will be left to the last minute.

“Galvin is in great form and Gordon’s very pleased with him,” said Russell. “The horse has a great brain, but it’s a huge task with the weight.

“But it’s also good for Ronnie and my goal will be to get him round safe and sound. He’s very talented, but I won’t even think of a tactical plan until we’ve left the parade ring.

“I’ve put zero thought into that, I have no plans and will line up and ride it as I feel it.”

Though Russell would love to go out on a high, he knows his time in the saddle is limited and while keen to remain a big cog in the Elliott operation, he wishes to spend more time with his young family.

Davy Russell scored Grade One success with Gerri Colombe on Friday
Davy Russell scored Grade One success with Gerri Colombe on Friday (Mike Egerton/PA)

He added: “Over the last five years I’ve really enjoyed my riding, but before Tiger Roll came along I was riding out six or even seven days a week, wasting at the same time and it was getting to me.

“Now I’m in a privileged position and having a ball. I’m playing it along as I go, and my retirement could happen at any time.”

Elliott keen on ‘one last hurrah’ at Aintree for Russell with Galvin

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Gordon Elliott would love to give Davy Russell the chance of a fitting finale to his career at Aintree, with the ride on Galvin in the Randox Grand National reserved for the veteran jockey should he opt to take it.

Russell had retired from the weighing room in December, but answered an SOS from Cullentra House to return to the riding ranks when stable number one Jack Kennedy suffered a broken leg in January.

The 43-year-old was thrust straight into big-race action and scooped Grade One honours aboard Mighty Potter at the Dublin Racing Festival. But he endured a frustrating week at the Cheltenham Festival, failing to get on the scoreboard and standing himself down ahead of his intended ride on Conflated in them Gold Cup.

Elliott believes that would be the wrong way for Russell to bow out and feels Aintree is the perfect spot for the man who partnered Tiger Roll to back-to-back triumphs in the world’s most famous steeplechase to take his curtain call.

Davy Russell celebrates National glory with Tiger Roll
Davy Russell celebrates National glory with Tiger Roll (Mike Egerton/PA)

“If Galvin is there, it is Davy’s ride if he wants it,” said Elliott.

“I suppose it all depends on if Jack gets back, but Davy has been a big part of Cullentra since I started training and he’s coming to the end of his days. I wouldn’t like to see him finish up on the note he finished on at Cheltenham.

“He was sore after Cheltenham and he made the decision he didn’t feel 100 per cent right to ride in the Gold Cup. It was a big call, but that is the man he is – he would never do wrong by the horse and the owners.

“Obviously he was very sore and made the right decision not to ride on, but I would like to give him a better send-off than that. I don’t think there would be any better way for him to finish off than in the National.

Davy Russell celebrates with owner Ronnie Bartlett after winning the Savills Chase on board Galvin at Leopardstown
Davy Russell celebrates with owner Ronnie Bartlett after winning the Savills Chase on board Galvin at Leopardstown (Donall Farmer/PA)

“If Jack doesn’t come back there will be plenty of other rides for him at the meeting, but I’m not 100 per cent sure what he is going to do.

“I would like to see one last hurrah for him at Aintree. It’s him and that’s the type of jockey he is – you saw at the Dublin Racing Festival, up until he got the fall that he was riding like a man in his 20s.

“I think, for Davy Russell and for the whole of horse racing, he deserves a better send-off than if he finished at Cheltenham.”

As well as Kennedy and Russell’s injury absence, Elliott’s other regular pilots Jordan Gainford and Sam Ewing have also been on the sidelines, with the latter suffering a broken arm last month.

Trainer Gordon Elliott could run up to six in the Randox Grand National at Aintree
Trainer Gordon Elliott could run up to six in the Randox Grand National at Aintree (Mike Egerton/PA)

However, the trainer is not worrying about jockey plans for Aintree, where he could have six runners in the big race itself.

He said: “Jack Kennedy is number one jockey here and I would hope we have him back.

“If we don’t have him back, we will work from the top down and use the best available. That’s where we are.”

Elliott’s National squad is spearheaded by last year’s third Delta Work, while Galvin will also head to Merseyside with leading claims following his pleasing reappearance behind his stablemate in the cross-country at Cheltenham.

Delta Work at Gordon Elliott's yard on Wednesday morning
Delta Work at Gordon Elliott’s yard on Wednesday morning (PA)

“Delta Work was third in the race last year, he got a little bit far back early but ran a very good race,” continued Elliott.

“He was a little careful early but he’s in great form and I couldn’t be happier with him, he’s working very well.

“Galvin – the drier the ground, the better a chance he has. He will have come on a lot from Cheltenham, he’s in good form and I’m very happy with him.”

Others set to represent the three-time Grand National-winning handler in the extended four-and-a-quarter-mile contest include Punchestown Grand National Trial winner Coko Beach, the classy Fury Road, last year’s ninth Escaria Ten and Dunboyne, who was a staying-on third in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival.

Coko Beach in action during the Randox Grand National last year
Coko Beach in action during the Randox Grand National last year (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Coko ran very well in the race last year and finished eighth. He won the Grand National Trial at Punchestown,” said Elliott.

“For Fury Road it is the first time stepping up to this trip. He’s a Grade One horse and a classy horse. Again a bit of nice ground would suit him, but he’s in very, very good form.

“Escaria Ten travelled well for a long way last year but just didn’t get home. We’re going to drop him in and take our time with him, ride him a little bit different this year.

“Dunboyne gets in off 10st. He’s going to wear blinkers and stays really well. If he gets into a rhythm and doesn’t get too far back early, he will come home strong.”