Russell stays in the groove

Racing News: After surviving a 7.30am inspection, Clonmel managed to run five of their races yesterday before deteriorating ground saw the sixth and seventh events abandoned.

Very much the man in the news with a four-timer the previous day, Davy Russell kept up the good work when guiding McGruders Cross to justify favouritism in the two mile one furlong beginners chase.

Leading from two out, the Tony Mullins-trained son of Toulon was soon clear on the way to a five-length win. This injury-plagued seven-year-old now has the Leopardstown Festival on his agenda.

Robbie Moran will also look back on this two-day meet with fondness and following Lakil Princess on Wednesday, the Wexford pilot made it two on Ring Of Beara in the handicap chase. Third in the 2004 Land Rover Bumper, this fellow did not cover himself in glory on the racecourse proper since before taking a brace of point-to-points this autumn. Returning to action under Rules, Robert Tyner's representative dug deep after the bypassed final fence to hold the gallant top-weight and favourite, Brave Eagle, by a neck.

Fifteen previous efforts, both on the flat and over flights had failed to yield a victory but crucially Orpen Guama handles testing ground well as he proved in the opener. Making all under Denis O'Regan, John Gleeson's 7 to 1 shot jumped the last better than the challenging Undergraduate, staying on for a length win. He may now contest the big juvenile hurdle at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day.

Similarly Nina Carberry obviously had the height of confidence in her partner half an hour later, getting on with things out in front on market-leader Celestial Wave, and she never saw another rival on the way to a six-length success.

Trainer Adrian Maguire said: "She is a very good mare and I would have been disappointed if she hadn't won. She might go for a mares Listed hurdle at Leopardstown."

Alexander Goldrun gave her connections encouragement that she can secure back-to-back Hong Kong Cup victories with a pleasing workout on the turf course at Sha Tin yesterday morning.

Partnered by Kevin Manning, who will be on board when the filly attempts to follow-up her 2004 triumph on Sunday, Alexander Goldrun looked impressive as she readily mastered Norse Dancer in a piece of work.

Manning said: "She did a super piece of work there. She did it very easily and she was very well in herself when I pulled her up."

Alexander Goldrun has been drawn on the inside post, in contrast to last year when she won the race from gate 12.