RUSSE Blanc is a registered white gelding, a son of Machiavellian Tsar, and he recently won the Grade 3 Betfred Classic Chase at Warwick for owner Mark Jackson. For many years Mark was a key member of the team that provided the racing coverage on RTE television. I recall him telling me about his acquisition of Russe Blanc.

Incredibly, the gelding’s first win was at the same meeting in Warwick but five years earlier and this was the first time he was back at the course since.