DAVY RUSSELL can surely now be described as champion jockey-elect, following a splendid double at Thurles yesterday.

LOCALLY-TRAINED Cootamundra survived late drama to justify odds-on favouritism in the Vinegar Hill Maiden Hurdle at Wexford last night, sparking a treble for Ruby Walsh, completed on the Tony Martin-trained pair Redera and Somatic.

FOLLOWING two cracking efforts at Punchestown and Navan, Willie Mullins’ Popcorn got off the mark over flights when landing the Holy Cross Maiden Hurdle at Thurles yesterday.