Bookies pay out on Russell

Davy Russell is already past the post in the race for the Irish jump jockeys championship as far as bookmakers Stan James are concerned.

They have decided to pay out to punters who backed the County Cork-born rider to land his first-ever title as he holds a substantial lead with the season drawing to a close at the end of this month.

Russell is currently 18 ahead of Ruby Walsh, by 100 to 82, and the curtain comes down on April 30 with the final card at the five-day Punchestown Festival.