Russell pounces late on Call Me Lyreen

Call Me Lyreen became the first non-favourite to win on day two of the Dublin Racing Festival when landing the Liffey Handicap Hurdle at odds of 20/1.

Davy Russell rode a waiting race on the Court Cave gelding who made good headway on the run to the final flight. Hitting the front on the run-in, the six-year-old went away to beat stablemate Magic Tricks by a length and a quarter with Autumn Evening two and a half lengths further back in third. Sea Ducor who shaped like a step-up in trip might be to his advantage in future, completed the frame.

Winning trainer Gordon Elliott said: “Davy gave him a good ride. We said we'd ride him a bit cold today, creep away, and that's exactly what Davy did. There is only one winning post.

“Shane Fitzgerald gave my other horse a lovely ride as well to finish second but unfortunately he bumped into one.

“The horses are running well, that's our third winner of the weekend and most of the rest of them have been placed so we're very happy with the way they've been running.

“Danny Houlihan is a big supporter of the yard, he always has three of four horses with us, and he's a lovely man so it's great to have a winner at Leopardstown for him.

“It's great for Boardsmill Stud, John Flood is a good friend of mine and we live beside each other so it's nice to get a winner for Boardsmill.”

Russell told RTE Sport: "I took all the chances. I got a lovely position and he travelled really well. I was under no pressure from owner or trainer but they gave me loads of confidence. The owner said to me that he’d love to be placed, so ride him to be placed and anything after that is a bonus. When you’re riding one for Gordon anything is possible.

"He travelled and jumped and I got a beautiful run up the inside. It was just one of those races. I took loads of chances and it worked out. There was a good gallop today which suited because when I rode him at Christmas I thought there was going to be plenty of pace but they went steady and the horse in front won it.

“I was delighted with Conflated yesterday. I was looking back on it with the kids last night and they fell asleep because I bored them so much with it so I might try that again later on with this fella!”

Quotes from Gary Carson