Treble brings Russell’s tally to seven winners in three days

IT was ‘Davy Russell Day’, again, at Leopardstown yesterday when the Cork rider completed a superb treble on Westmeath, Stonemaster and Pittoni to bring his tally to seven winners in the last three days, following doubles at Navan on both Friday and Saturday.

Russell, now seven behind Paul Townend (successful later om Gentle Alice) in the title-race, carried the colours of his boss Michael O’Leary (Gigginstown House Stud) on Stonemaster and Westmeath, which booked his ticket to Cheltenham’s Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle when scoring a facile success in the opening maiden hurdle.

Westmeath, always well-regarded, is trained by Paul Nolan, who commented: “Davy says he’s still very green but I don’t mind that as long as they’re winning!”