Shrapnel highlight of Russell treble

Shrapnel opened his account under rules in a maiden hurdle on this day 12 months ago, and the Flemensfirth gelding has made hay to such an extent in the meantime that he is now the winner of five on the track after taking the Grade 3 Faber Audiovisuals Ballybrit Novice Chase.

The 5/4 favourite was sent to the front inside the final mile by Davy Russell, who was completing a treble on the day all in the colours of his retained employer Gigginstown House Stud.

Super leaps at the final two fences in the dip left the seven-year-old in control on the long run-in, and he kept on well to beat Clar Na Mionn by two and a half lengths.

Long-time leader Six Stone Ned kept on one paced a further four lengths adrift in third. Foxrock was an absentee due to coughing, while the other two runners faded considerably after the last.

Karen Morgan, representing trainer Gordon Elliott, said, “He’s coming along nicely, and jumps well. Davy gave him a great ride and he’ll be kept to this Grade. He seems to handle most types of ground.”