RACING News: Jockey Davy Russell said yesterday he is "disgusted" at his replacement on the Smurfit Champion Hurdle second favourite Back In Front by Ruby Walsh.
The weekend move is the latest blow to Russell, who was also replaced eight days ago on Pizarro in the Hennessy Gold Cup, and the rider couldn't hide his frustration with the new development.
"I'm disgusted really," he said. "It's just one of those things - it's the ups and downs. I wasn't given any reason for it but Ruby was available and Ruby rides. That's it."
Edward O'Grady, who trains both Back In Front and Pizarro, said yesterday Russell's comments would have no impact on future riding arrangements between the pair.
A bad weekend for Russell didn't get any better at Navan yesterday as he was taken to the local hospital after a crashing fall from Coast To Coast in the Ten Up Novice Chase.
Russell has been ruled out of today's action and the Turf Club medical officer Dr Walter Halley said: "He is in a lot of pain from his left elbow and wrist and we will be giving him a full body x-ray as he could have broken anything in that fall."
The jockey won the Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham on Back In Front in November and said: "Any horse that runs well on the track has to be a danger and he loves the course. His record there is second to none around Cheltenham and he is in great order."
Conditions are hardly going to be as dramatic at Navan today where Private Ben can continue the good recent form of the Jessica Harrington string in the Beginners Chase.
Private Ben was the stable second string at Tramore last month but ran a good race behind stable mate Green Belt Flyer and looks capable of stepping up in an average contest.
The best of Crimson Flower's hurdles form makes her one to watch in the mares Beginners Chase and her first run for six months at Thurles behind Adarma should have done Shay Barry's mount a lot of good.
The step up to three miles could be crucial to Mandm's chance in the second maiden hurdle while The Penitent Man looks good in the handicap chase.
Essex consolidated Ireland's ante-post grip on the Smurfit Champion Hurdle when landing a gamble in the Totesport Trophy at Newbury on Saturday.
Followed on his journey from trainer Michael O'Brien's stables near the Curragh by a partisan crowd of supporters, Essex was given a welcome reminiscent of a winner at the Cheltenham Festival after his superb triumph.
The five-year-oldbeat Bongo Fury and Al Eile by three lengths and a head under Barry Geraghty.
The 4 to 1 favourite had been backed at 7 to 1 to complete the big handicap double after his Leopardstown victory last month, and now his attention is to be focused on the Champion, for which both Coral and William Hill cut him into 12 to 1 from 25s. Ladbrokes go 14 to 1 from 33s.
Essex has run only four times over hurdles and it was owing to his lack of experience that O'Brien decided to give him a full-scale schooling gallop earlier in the week.
