Davy Russell returned to action, from surgery, at Listowel today where the Champion Jockey partnered the Michael Hourigan trained Mr Cracker to win the Kevin Broderick Memorial Handicap Chase.

Russell, who was crowned Champion Jockey for the second successive season recently, suffered a collapsed lung at the Cheltenham Festival and while he resumed riding in Ireland subsequently, the injury necessitated surgery following the Punchestown Festival in April.

Russell, whose previous ride before today was on Make Your Mark at Punchestown in April 27, earlier partnered unplaced Gowithdflo in the opener but steered the Gigginstown House Stud owned winner to a length and a half success over the similarly owned Uncle Tom Cobley The pair were aided by a good jump at the final fence.

Afterwards Russell stated “the horse deserved it and he jumped well – I'm taking a bit more of a blow than him!”

He added “I'm only back riding out for the last two weeks but I kept busy doing things and kept an eye on my fitness. I find it too hard to let myself go completely when I'm out but there is nothing we can do to get us that fit without race-riding.”

Never one to be left out of any equation, a delighted Hourigan added “it's nice for Mr Cracker to win as it's his first win in two years. He's a fair horse though and appreciated the better ground. There's a conditions race at Roscommon in ten days time for him next.”

By Thomas Weekes