15:20
Cheltenham
Odds correct as of 10:11am 28th Feb
Davy Russell is a shrewd judge and was an even better jockey, especially at the Cheltenham Festival. He rode more than 20 winners there during his career and is joint-fifth on the all-time list, with only Paul Townend, Ruby Walsh, Barry Gerraghty and AP McCoy ahead of him.
It’s definitely worth noting when he has a strong fancy at a big price and there’s one potential Cheltenham Festival runner who has caught his eye at substantial odds of 20/1.
Russell’s recent ultimate preview night piece in the Racing Post was very illuminating and isn’t to be missed. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Jalon d’Oudairies (20/1, bet365) cost a whopping £420,000 at the sales and immediately looked capable of recouping that sum when winning a couple of bumpers in very good style. He then went on to finish third in the Champion Bumper behind Jasmin De Vaux but missed last season through injury.
The penny dropped at the third attempt over hurdles at Naas earlier this month and he won a maiden over an extended 2m2f by 27 lengths. That performance was hugely impressive and Jack Kennedy didn’t need to move a muscle. Gordon Elliott’s gelding appears to be back to his very best.
Russell said: “He’s a proper horse and 40-1 [currently 20/1] is a huge price. He’s got loads of ability and I think he’ll be bang there. If you go back through his form he was very good in bumpers and he got his act together to win by a long way at Naas the other day.”
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