Davy Russell and Ruby Walsh clash live on air as future of racing punditry in good hands

Davy Russell may have well closed the book on his legendary racing career but featured as part of RTE's Punchestown coverage on Wednesday.

Russell got his dream send-off in Aintree, having originally retired in December and decided to help out on punditry at the famous racecourse.

Appearing alongside long-time rival Ruby Walsh, it made for great TV as the pair clashed on numerous occasions.

READ MORE - RTE forced to apologise for 'offence caused' during coverage of Punchestown Festival

Discussing horse sales in Ireland the two got heated.

Davy Russell started off the exchange, saying: "It goes to show, be at the sales and get the job done."

While Walsh responded: "You talk about going to the sales, they all know which one to get."

To which Russell replied: "Yeah but that's the beauty about them sales, and if you go to them sales. I see a lot of trainers here giving out about the sales, but they don't go to the sales to try and buy the horses. That horse was bought by James Doyle down in Wexford, and sold to the Nolans."

Walsh: "Were they all playing on the same playing field?

Davy Russell: "Pardon."

Ruby Walsh: "Are they all batting on the same playing field at the sales?"

Davy Russell: "In what way?"

Ruby Walsh: "Money they have to spend."

Davy Russell: "Who?"

Ruby Walsh: "Racehorse trainers vs someone who's going to sell one again. Are they all playing on the same pitch."

Davy Russell: "I don't understand the question."

Ruby Walsh: "Is there credit for some people and not for others? Sorry, I didn't think I'd have to explain it to you."

Davy Russell: "Well I don't know anything about that, I don't work for any sales company."

Ruby Walsh: "Well I think that's a huge issue (the sales)."

Davy Russell: "When I go to the sales, I buy the horses that I buy and other people do their business. At the end of the day, they're keeping the whole wheel moving. If that's the deal they've done. More power to them...But you seem to know more about it."

Ruby Walsh: "I don't, I just don't think they're all playing off the same pitch."

The Punchestown Festival resumes on Thursday.

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