Brand new experience for Russell

With less than three months of the season left, Russell leads Walsh by nine and is only three shy of a first century. His previous seasonal best was last year's 79.

While Walsh, yesterday made evens favourite by William Hill to be top jockey at the Cheltenham Festival, devotes a significant chunk of his time to riding for Paul Nicholls, Russell can stay more focussed on his goal.

Successful on Joes Edge for his old boss Ferdy Murphy in the William Hill Chase at last year's Festival, he has no firm rides for the big meeting.

For the 28-year-old farmer's son from Cork, the prospect of being champion jockey is almost unthinkable.

But luck has been his riding companion this season.

Not only was Walsh injured at Cheltenham in November and sidelined for six weeks with a dislocated shoulder but Lady Bountiful is currently shining a bright light on the man from Youghal.

He looked booked for only fourth place on The Budgee in the handicap chase at Leopardstown on Sunday until three rivals came down and the 7-2 favourite took advantage.

Bachelor Russell tried life in Britain when joining Murphy as stable jockey at the start of the 2002-3 season and the pair enjoyed big-race success, winning the 2003 Peter Marsh Chase on Truckers Tavern who went on to finish second to Best Mate in that year's Gold Cup.

But the lure of home proved to be too strong and he preferred to go home to ride on Sundays rather than stay in Yorkshire. Within 18 months, the partnership was severed.

Russell has no retainer in Ireland and rides freelance. He lacks the backing of a big stable like Walsh (Willie Mullins), Paul Carberry (Noel Meade) or Barry Geraghty (Jessica Harrington).

However, his hard work is paying off. He said: "I wanted to keep my contacts going in Ireland and that didn't suit Ferdy so I came home. I really enjoyed my time there and we had some successes.

"It has taken me quite a while to get re-established but a lot of the smaller trainers I have been riding for have started coming good and they've been very loyal to me.

"It would mean so much to me and to my family if I could be champion jockey.

"It didn't seem a very likely scenario when I was riding in point-to-points as an amateur only eight years ago.

"I don't have many rides lined up for Cheltenham yet. Thyne Again (winner of Sunday's Arkle Chase at Leopardstown) may not go for the Festival. But I'm sure rides will come along."