Davy Russell 'fully expected' to take Friday rides after Cheltenham fall

Davy Russell is not expected to miss key rides on Galvin and Fil Dor at Cheltenham on Friday despite being stood down on Thursday after falling on Conflated in the Ryanair Chase.

Jack Kennedy stepped in to partner Grand Paradis and Party Central after the jockey was reported sore. He was stood down following his fall two out on Conflated, while he was also brought down aboard Sassy Yet Classy in the preceding Pertemps Final.

Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) senior medical officer Dr Jennifer Pugh issued a positive update.

She said: "Davy is generally sore after the two falls today and he has stood himself down but he is fully expected to ride on Friday. He has had physio and is fully expected to pass the doctor tomorrow."

2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup: the runners, the odds, the verdict

Russell has plenty to look forward to on Friday with Gold Cup favourite Galvin (3.30) no bigger than 7-2 to give the jockey a second win in the race, eight years on from Lord Windermere's success.

Fil Dor, meanwhile, is a leading contender in the Triumph Hurdle (1.30) and festival winner Mount Ida goes for the Mares' Chase (4.50). County Hurdle (2.10) contender Top Bandit also appears to have a big chance.

Russell, 42, was forced to miss last season's festival due to a neck injury sustained in October 2021, which kept him out for 11 months. He fractured his C6 and C7 vertebrae and dislocated his T1 before returning in September.

Since coming back, he has ridden 44 winners in Ireland including success at Grade 1 level in the Savills Chase with Galvin and in last month's Irish Gold Cup aboard Conflated. Trainer and boss Gordon Elliott said he was "made of steel" in the build-up to this year's festival.

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