Championship leaders land Listed hurdle Jockeys' Championship leader Davy Russell is nearing a fourth career century of winners and combined with this season's leading owner Michael O'Leary and trainer Gordon Elliott to win the Listed INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle at Punchestown today with Hardline. Twice Champion Jockey Russell previously recorded centuries in 2007/8 (126 wins), and when Champion in 2011/12 (104) and 2012/3 (103) and today moved to 95 winners this term on Hardline. Russell's mount was moving into contention when leader Riders on the Storm blundered at the second last and with that rival unable to recover in sufficient time, Hardline was able to see off the challenge and record a two and a quarter lengths success. Russell's lead over nearest pursuer and currently injured jockey Paul Townend is now 30 wins, while owner O'Leary (Gigginstown House Stud) also looks likely to claim Leading Owner this season, with an E800,000 lead over J.P. McManus. Elliott, on the other hand, faces a battle royal to beat Willie Mullins to the Trainers' Championship with a lead of just E250,000 currently. Following Hardline's win, the Grand National and Gold Cup winning trainer stated “he's a grand horse and it probably didn't suit great with the other horse making a mistake as he was left in front. He's a horse that would be better off coming at them. “It was a nice race to win and we'll try and find something similar. He's probably just a bit below a Grade 1 horse but he'll be a nice chaser next year.” Quotes from Gary Carson
