Paul Carberry questions if it was FAIR for Davy Russell to come out of retirement at Cheltenham ahead of younger jockeys

IRISH horse racing legend Paul Carberry questioned if it was fair for Davy Russell to return at Cheltenham.

And he suggested top trainer Gordon Elliott may have been better off placing his trust in some of his younger riders.

Russell, 43, made an incredible return to the Festival earlier this month, having come out of retirement at Punchestown in January.

The Corkman was drafted in as cover for Jack Kennedy, who missed Cheltenham due to injury.

Speaking about Irish Grand National Betting, Carberry wondered if Gordon Elliott should have placed his trust in youth instead of Davy.

The former jockey, who is a 14-time winner at Cheltenham and won the Irish Grand National in 1998, said: "My body wouldn’t be able to take it!

"With Davy coming out, it gives the lads there another chance but that’s neither here nor there.

"Sam [Ewing] was really unlucky to break his arm and Jordan [Gainford] has been injured as well, so Gordon’s lads haven’t had a good run. 

"Michael O’Leary speaks his mind! What he says is not always right but he likes to get his point across in any case. 

"It might have been right Davy coming back, but I don’t know if it was fair on the younger lads not getting the chance to prove themselves.

"They have to do that at some stage. Would they have done a better job at Cheltenham than Davy? Maybe not but you never know until you try. 

"Gordon has faith in the young lads, but perhaps doing what he did with Davy may have knocked their confidence a bit.

"I thought it was the wrong move."

WAR OF WORDS

Russell became embroiled in a war of words with Ryanair boss and racehorse owner Michael O'Leary ahead of Cheltenham, who said that Russell should have 'stayed retired'.

O'Leary told ITV: "He’d retired and, personally, I wish he’d stayed retired.

"He has a young family with young children and at a certain point in time you should put your family first and not your riding career.

“He’s had a glorious career and he has nothing to achieve by coming back and I don’t think he should’ve come out of retirement.”

For his part, Russell was bullish in response to O'Leary's comments.

He told ITV: "I have about as much respect for Michael O'Leary's opinion as he has for my opinion.

"I didn't see any father of the year awards being thrown out yet and I am happy enough with my responsibilities at home.