Nicholls snaps up Russell in bid for another Irish raid prize

Paul Nicholls has turned to last week's corner-cutting rider Davy Russell for his latest raid on a top Irish jumps prize when Officier De Reserve tackles the £84,000 Troytown Chase at Navan on Sunday.

With stable jockey Ruby Walsh on the sidelines after having his spleen removed following a fall at Cheltenham on Saturday and No2 Sam Thomas required to partner Mister Pointment at Aintree on Sunday, Nicholls has turned to Russell.

Irishman Russell caused controversy at Cheltenham last Friday when taking a shorter course aboard Dix Villex on his way to victory in the cross-country chase after clearing the manoeuvre with the stewards.

Russell sits in third place behind Walsh in the race for the Irish jump jockeys' title and Nicholls, who is currently in second place in the table for Irish jumps trainers, moved quickly to secure the services of the 28-year-old.

"We booked Davy Russell at the start of the week," said Nicholls. "The horse wants three miles and soft ground, so it makes sense to aim for the Troytown, especially as the prize money is so good."

Nicholls has sent out four winners from six runners in Ireland since the start of their National Hunt season and has been rewarded with big wins for Oslot (Galway Plate); Kauto Star (JNWine.com Champion Chase); Noland (Killultagh Properties Limited Chase) and Dear Villez (Munster National). The champion British trainer has amassed £752,983 in win and place prize money, behind leader Noel Meade (£832,980).