Davy Russell's BETWAY blog

Top jockey Davy Russell who is the ambassador for leading online betting company Betway, gives some punchy views on the use of the whip and previews Punchestown tomorrow.

USE OF THE WHIP

There has been plenty of stuff written and said about the use of the whip in recent weeks, particularly after that thrilling finish to the King George at Kempton.

We’ll be lucky if we see a better finish to a big race all season and the sight of Ruby (Walsh) and Paddy (Brennan) battling it out to the line was great for racing.

I think people are looking at it the wrong way.
Both horses responded to every slap all the way to the line.
Jockeys are doing their jobs and shouldn’t be penalised for that.

I was banned for a day for using my whip too many times aboard First Lieutenant in a driving finish to the Lexus.
Using the stick 13 times wouldn’t have been pretty viewing for many, but I can assure you that the old boy responded to every bit of urging I gave him.

If he hadn’t responded, I’d have stopped - simple as that.

I’d also like to urge anyone who thinks it’s cruel to pick up a modern day riding whip and feel how gentle they are with a tap against your own legs.

In my eyes, the authorities need to look closer at those using the whip further back in the field on horses that are beaten and not responding.

That’s where it’s totally unnecessary and the real punishments should be handed out.

CHELTENHAM EYECATCHERS

If there is one horse that has caught my eye looking ahead towards the Cheltenham Festival since I last posted, then it would be the Willie Mullins-trained Up For Review.

I finished second to him aboard Jetstream Jack in the Dorans Pride Novice Hurdle last week and I can tell you that he must have some engine.

The important thing to note is that he is by Presenting so will undoubtedly improve for the better ground. He looks the ideal type for the Albert Bartlett at this stage.

The same can also be said for Yorkhill which got the job done at Sandown last weekend. Being by the same sire, he too is likely to improve for some decent ground.

As for which Festival race he’ll end up in, I’m not sure. In my eyes, there is no point in trying to second guess a guy (Willie Mullins) who hasn’t even made his mind up yet.

PUNCHESTOWN

I’ve only got a couple of rides at Punchestown on Saturday and kick-off with Ball D’Arc in the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle (2.05pm).

He’s done very little wrong and it’s hard to fault him, but he’s got it all to do to trouble Supreme Novices’ favourite Min.

He was hugely impressive on his debut and what caught my eye was that, even though he ran free, it still took Ruby over two furlongs past the line to pull him up.

There’s no doubting he’s got a serious engine but we’ll be there to pick up the pieces should things not go to plan.

Stuccodor (2.40pm) will have to run to his rating of 123 to win a race like this and I’m a little bit concerned about the ground with him.

That said, the likely favourite, Union Dues, is returning after nearly 900 days off and Lift The Latch has been off for nearly 700 days too.