Russell admits Weapon's trip worry Davy Russell admits the drop in trip may not be ideal for Weapon's Amnesty when he lines up in the Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday. Charles Byrnes' seven-year-old won the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at last year's Cheltenham Festival and opened his account over fences at Newcastle on his penultimate start. He was beaten just a short head by Pandorama in the Grade One Knight Frank Novice Chase over three miles on his latest outing, but Russell has slight concerns about dropping back to two miles and five furlongs. "It's not ideal to be dropping back in trip and it's a very competitive race," said the jockey. "Roberto Goldback is no back number by any means, but our fellow ran well over Christmas and we need to get more experience into him. "He's been a slow learner with his jumping but, touch-wood, he was very good the last day and I'm hoping for the best." Weapon's Amnesty and Roberto Goldback feature in a high-class field of eight for the Grade One challenge. The hat-trick-chasing Aranleigh and the Willie Mullins duo of Citizen Vic and Cousin Vinny catch the eye, while Zaarito is on a redemption mission after his fall at Leopardstown in January. Oscar Looby brings to the table Grade Two-winning form for Noel Meade's operation, with Lenabane completing the octet.
