Russell on course

RACING:DAVY RUSSELL has already managed a 50 to 1 victory over Aintree's famous Grand National fences and the top jockey is firmly on course to try and land the world's most famous steeplechase itself this Saturday.

The Noel Glynn-trained Becauseicouldntsee is Russell’s intended mount in the John Smith’s Grand National but the rider plans to be in action at Liverpool before that.

Russell is on track to return from a hand injury on Thursday when the Coral Cup winner Carlito Brigante is due to clash with the top stayer Big Buck’s in the Grade One BGC Liverpool Hurdle.

The Cork-born jockey suffered a hairline fracture to his right hand at Thurles a couple of weeks ago, which was a blow to his hopes of overhauling Paul Townend in a race for the Irish jockeys’ championship which will end at Punchestown next month.

Russell plans to go “gung-ho” for the title but admits he faces a big ask against Townend who is also currently on the injury sidelines.

However, it is the top races on the run-in to the season that remain his priority and they don’t come much bigger than the National.

Becauseicouldntsee is one of 65 entries remaining in the big race after yesterday’s forfeit stage and Russell hopes he can get an even bigger thrill over the famous fences than when Cregg House sprang a 50 to 1 shock result in the 2005 Topham Trophy.

“He shouldn’t have too many problems staying and they do a pretty good job over there in providing safe ground,” Russell said yesterday.

“I’ve done everything in the National; fell, unseated and finished a good few times. But I’ve never come within an asses roar of winning.”

Russell is the retained jockey to Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown Stud team and it is big-race targets for those horses that are his priority in the coming weeks.

“The championship will be a huge ask and I’d really need to be going to Clonmel on Thursday and Tramore on Saturday to have a chance. But it is the Graded races, and the Gigginstown horses, that are most important,” said Russell.

“I will go gung-ho for the title but it is not the be-all and end-all,” he said.

Russell currently trails Townend by nine winners – 76 to 67 – in the Irish jockeys’ championship.

The rider, who was on board a pair of Cheltenham winners in First Lieutenant and Carlito Brigante last month, has finished runner-up in the championship a number of times behind Ruby Walsh.