Russell goes top with 133/1 treble Davy Russell moved to the head of the jump jockey’s championship when completed a 133/1 treble at Fairyhouse this afternoon. The reigning champion added to the earlier wins of Benevolent (7/4) and Skibabe (11/4) as Dactik took division two of the two and a half miles handicap hurdle in very convincing fashion. The Youghal rider, who took the title for the first time last season, edged one ahead of Ruby Walsh (36-35) with this trio of winners. Placed a number of times on the Flat for Kevin Prendergast, the six-year-old Dactik (12/1) was recording his first success here and provided Clonmel handler Noel Brett with his first winner in five years. Top-weight Mister First (5/6fav) was all the rage in this 80-95 rated event but Russell sent his sweet-travelling mount past the “jolly” at the second last and quickly put the race to bed. He drew right away for an easy seven lengths verdict over Mister First, with Day Dream Boy (20/1) another ten lengths back in third and Shanroe Society (12/1) in fourth. Brett said, “It took him a while, and he did it well. He’s just a bit in and out but that’s the way he is.” (Additional reporting by Gary Carson)
