Davy Russell planning 'one last hurrah' in Grand National on Galvin

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Davy Russell is aiming for one last crack at the Grand National (Image: The Jockey Club via PA Images)
Davy Russell is aiming for one last crack at the Grand National (Image: The Jockey Club via PA Images)

Davy Russell is plotting “one last hurrah” aboard Galvin in the Randox Grand National on Saturday week.

Russell is a dual winner of the world’s greatest steeplechase, having partnered long-time ally Gordon Elliott’s Tiger Roll to National glory in 2018 and 2019.

The 43-year-old, who returned from retirement to compete at last month’s Cheltenham Festival after Cullentra House stable jockey Jack Kennedy suffered a broken leg in January, has not ridden since standing himself down from Elliott’s Conflated in the Gold Cup 20 days ago.

But Russell aims to go out in a blaze of glory aboard Galvin, who finished second to stablemate Delta Work in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham last month.

“He’d be a great ride round there and he’s a horse who has been kind to me in the past,” said Russell.

Harry Cobden says winning Cheltenham ride on Il Ridoto did not deserve ban qeituihdixzinvHarry Cobden says winning Cheltenham ride on Il Ridoto did not deserve ban

“I’ve got to get through a couple of checks first and I would need to ride before the National – whether that’s at Aintree or beforehand, I’m not quite sure.

“But the National is a race that means an awful lot to me before Tiger Roll – it means a lot to every jockey – and I’d love to come back for it.”

Elliott, who expects to field up to six of the 40 runners in the big race, said: “If Galvin is there, it’s Davy’s ride if he wants it – I would love to see one last hurrah for him at Aintree.

“I don’t think there would be any better way for him to finish off than in the National – for Davy Russell, and for the whole of horseracing, he deserves a better send off than if he finished at Cheltenham.”

David Yates

Davy Russell, Cheltenham racecourse, Aintree, Grand National, Gold Cup, Cheltenham Festival

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