Luska Lad (10s in the morning into 7s) put up a tremendous performance for a novice when gaining a famous local win in the Grade 2 Red Mills Trial Hurdle for trainer John 'Shark' Hanlon.
Making all, the chestnut, with Davy Russell up, had to be very tough and game up the straight to fend off the strong challenges of Jumbo Rio and Noble Prince on either side. To his great credit, the six-year-old found enough to prevail by half a length from Jumbo Rio. Muirhead the favourite, in first-time cheek-pieces, disappointed back in fourth.
Hanlon said: "I told Davy to make it if he wanted because we knew there'd be a lack of pace. He gave him a very confident ride. He'll probably go to Fairyhouse and Punchestown now. Then he'll have a break. He prefers to go right-handed so he won't go to Cheltenham even though the owners might want to."
Luska Lad is certainly a hardy individual, this being his eighth outing since he debuted over timber at Galway at the end of October. Davy Russell was aboard the Flemensfirth gelding for the first time today and it is a race the Cork pilot obviously enjoys having landed it last year on Solwhit.
