'I was able to put my hand on his backside' - a cheeky winner for Davy Russell

Davy Russell delivered a winner at Clonmel on Thursday in extraordinary circumstances when he used the posterior of one of his rivals to stop himself from hitting the deck in the early stages before going on to victory.

The 42-year-old was aboard Perfect Attitude in the 2m½f maiden hurdle (3.25) and the partnership was nearly broken with a circuit to race when Russell was knocked out of the saddle at the final hurdle passing the stands.

But the dual Grand National-winning rider showed sharp reflexes and ingenuity in equal measure to stick out a hand and use The Mpex Kid, who had jumped across Perfect Attitude at that flight, as a springboard back into the saddle.

Somehow the pair managed to get going again before forging home to beat Wild Shot by half a length, with the winning margin not doing justice to their incredible feat in turning near disaster into triumph.

How the incident unfolded

Jumping the flight, Davy Russell is involved in a collision with The Mpex Kid (red) and Elmount (yellow)Credit: RacingTV

The coming together sees Russell lurching to the side of Perfect Attitude and in troubleCredit: RacingTV

But Russell (pink) manages to steady himself using his rival's rumpCredit: RacingTV

Back on an even keel the pair go on to record a highly unlikely victoryCredit: RacingTV

Russell said afterwards: "Coming down to the hurdle, Conor Orr's horse [The Mpex Kid] jumped left and I was gone, gravity had taken over. I saw Conor's horse and was able to put my hand on his backside and then I was put on the back foot the whole way.

"It's a credit to the horse that he was able to come back. I knew I was gone and the reins were no good to me. My own horse was no good to me and I knew if I grabbed on to Conor's horse I had a chance. Luckily enough he was there and I had the full use of his backside to push me back into the saddle. If I'd fallen there I would have been really kicking myself."

Perfect Attitude is trained by Gordon Elliott, who took the opening claiming hurdle with Longacre Square and completed a treble on the card with Sam's Choice in the bumper.

3.25 Clonmel: full result and race replay

The win on Perfect Attitude became Russell's fourth since he returned from a near career-ending neck injury. All four have been trained by Elliott.

Russell added: "I had planned to take it up at the last as he's quite green, but he came off the bridle earlier than that and I needed to keep the momentum going. I knew if I could keep the momentum going he'd stay there and battle away.

"It's great for Martin White, who's a new owner with Gordon, and myself and Martin go back a long way, so it's great to ride another winner for him. I don't think Perfect Attitude will be over-exerted this season and maybe he'll fill into his frame for next year."

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