RUSSIAN MUSIC brought up his hat-trick with the minimum of fuss at Southwell to highlight the well-being of Ian Williams’ string.

While the Worcestershire handler is plotting a route to the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival with Weird Al, he has saddled four winners from his last six runners on the all-weather.

Russian Music (even-money favourite) has really come of age since joining Williams from Mick Easterby’s yard and has excelled after being stepped up to staying trips.

After a win at Wolverhampton before Christmas and at Southwell over a mile and six furlongs last week, the step up to two miles in the Betdaq On 0870 178 1221 proved no obstacle in the hands of Stephen Donohoe.

‘‘He did it nicely. It’s the most bizarre thing as, being by Stravinsky, you wouldn’t expect him to stay a yard over seven furlongs,’’ said Williams.

‘‘He’s enjoyed the surface. He’s getting a bit of racing experience now but the handicapper probably won’t be very lenient after that.

‘‘We’ll probably pop him away now and see what he does on the turf later on.’’ Donohoe added: ‘‘It was easy enough.

He’s a nice, big horse who is improving all the time and Ian’s horses are in great order.

‘‘We always new from the first day he worked he had stamina and after his last win here is was always the plan to step him up (in trip).

‘‘He was the last to pull up after the line, he’s just a real nice horse to deal with. He’ll win again.’’ George Moore sent Greenbelt (20-1) down from his Middleham yard for an overdue success in the Bet Masters Snooker – Betdaq Handicap.

Winless on the Flat for nearly three years, Tom Eaves’ mount grimly held off Williams’ Tyrana by a head.

‘‘George said he was really well and he was happy with the draw today because he doesn’t appreciate the kickback,’’ said Eaves.

Johnson's delight

HOWARD JOHNSON is delighted to get his first runners of 2010 on the track thanks to Britain’s first allbumper card at Southwell.

The County Durham trainer has seen no racecourse action for several weeks, and has declared a team of four at the Nottinghamshire circuit which is staging a seven-race card that has attracted 74 runners.

Johnson saddles Rupin and Bow Badger in division one and two respectively of the Freezy Money At victorchandler.

com Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race.

He also runs Jersey Boys and Senor Alco and said: ‘‘These are young horses, I haven’t been able to train them properly and I want to get them out for some experience.”