Champion Jockey Davy Russell maintained his excellent recent strike rate for Clonmel trainer John Nallen when steering Minella Fiveo to win the Slane Maiden Hurdle at Navan today.

Russell was partnering his third winner in as many mounts for the trainer in the last fortnight and made all on board Nallen's easy 9/10 winning favourite today.

Afterwards Nallen stated “he's (Minella Fiveo) a staying horse and we said we'd make it today. He was entitled to win that and he'll be a nice chaser in time, given how well he has done in point to points.”

Minella Fiveo was Russell's last ride of the day at Navan and the Cork hurling nut will be hoping for further success for his county later in the day at Croke Park.

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee