Russell and Elliott at double with Duca De Thaix Davy Russell and Gordon Elliott made it a quick-fire double at Fairyhouse when Duca De Thaix landed race three - the 50,000 euro Grade B EasyFix Handicap Chase. His mount moved into a challenging position just behind fellow Gigginstown runner Arvico Bleu at the second-last and took over before the final fence. A good jump at the last saw him increase his advantage and he won going away by five lengths at 3/1. He wasn't winning out of turn having been placed in his last four beginners' chases. Arvico Bleu took second at 11/2 and he was three parts of a length ahead of the gambled-on Stowaway Forever (9/2 from 7/1). Davy Russell said: “Gordon felt he didn’t look like he was a Graded horse so he tried this route. "He’s jumped quite well for a novice, he’s quite nimble to go tight and long. He's brave and was able to cope in that company. “He finished out the race today for the first time and that tells you he's not good enough for the novice races. Maybe in time he can take on the novices.” Russell and Elliott took the preceding race with Mrs Lovett. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
