Davy Russell, in double form for the last two days at Navan, repeated that feat at Leopardstown when half-an-hour after his success on Westmeath he got Stonemaster another Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding, home the winner of the Ballsbridge Hurdle. Made In Taipan made a bold bid from the front in this two and a quarter miler but that effort began to take its toll on him as they approached the last – Stonemaster and Psycho closed him down. However Psycho crashed out here when in with a big chance, leaving Stonemaster to get the better of it with Made In Taipan on the run-in.
Winning trainer Dessie Hughes said of his six-year-old, who began with a Bellharbour point-to-point win two years ago: "It's nice to win with him as it's very hard for second season hurdlers like him. That was a good performance carrying his penalty.
"His options are limited between now and Punchestown as apart from handicaps there is only one race for him – that being a two mile six conditions hurdle at Cork.
"The idea was not to be too hard on him this season and he will be a proper horse over fences next season."
