Davy Russell matched title rival Ruby Walsh's treble at Fairyhouse yesterday when recording a 135/1 treble of his own at Thurles.
Impersonator set the ball rolling when scoring at 16/1 in the 2m handicap hurdle, while the Youghal rider landed both divisions of the mares beginners chase aboard Talktothetail and Pip'N Pop.
'He has ability but keeps a lot of it to himself,' said trainer Tony Mullins after Impersonator led coming away from the second last before just holding the late surge of Alphazar.
'Davy felt he hit the front a bit too soon, and we'll go for another one of those handicaps,' added Mullins.
Those who backed Talktothetail down to evens favourite endured a roller-coaster of emotions before collecting in an incident-packed affair.
The Tim Doyle-trained mare was nearly brought down at halfway and veered violently left when leading in the straight at the final two fences.
Valentia Lady was left in front after her antics at the last but Russell soon had the eight-year-old back on an even keel, going away to win by five lengths.
'We had a few hairy moments but she got there!' quipped Doyle afterwards. 'She won her only point-to-point and fences could be what she needs.'
'She was just idling at the last two, and will probably go for a mares winners race.'
Pip'N Pop made most of the running in division two and was left clear when odds-on favourite Candy Girl, about four lengths down but closing at the time, fell two out.
'She got some black type here last time and is now a winner, so we will have to decide whether to put her in foal or keep racing,' said trainer Thomas O'Leary.
Walsh, out of luck on Candy Girl, is now nine behind Russell (105-96) in the jockey's title race having earlier teamed up with Tony Martin to take the 2m6f handicap hurdle with Hold The Pin.
The easy-to-back 9/2 chance swept past Carrigeen Kalmia between the final two flights to score by five and a half lengths.
Tom Taaffe introduced a nice sort in the bumper when Smoking Aces finished strongly under J P Magnier to beat Healys Bar by three lengths.
'He's from a nice family and has loads of boot. We'll see how he comes out of this but the Cheltenham Bumper could be a possibility,' said Taaffe.
He also reported Kicking King in great form as the former Gold Cup winner jumped a few fences this morning in preparation for the Red Mills Chase at Gowran on Saturday.
Margaret O'Sullivan saddled her first winner when Indifference Curve readily justified good support in the two and three quarter miles maiden hurdle.
The six-year-old son of Bob Back, 11/4 in the morning and sent off the 7/4 favourite, drew clear early in the straight under Andrew McNamara to beat Sang Bleu by a comfortable 12 lengths.
Originally from Drimoleague in west Cork and renting a yard in Freshford, Co. Kilkenny, Ms O'Sullivan has held a licence for two months having previously been an assistant to Pat Fahy.
'I am delighted to train this winner for John McDonald who has been a great supporter of mine,' said Ms O'Sullivan, who has 19 in training and hopes to soon move back to her native county to train near Liscarroll.
Faltering Fullback landed a nice touch when opening his account in the two miles maiden hurdle.
Supported from 14/1 down to half those odds, the Eric McNamara-trained gelding asserted at the final flight under Paddy Flood to beat long-time leader and favourite Got Attitude by five lengths.
'He's a very weak horse but has improved an awful lot at home,' said the Co. Limerick trainer of the gelding, who showed some promise in two hurdle outings in December.
'He needs an extra half mile to be seen at his best, and will not run again for about six weeks when he'll go for either a winners race or a handicap. He's a very decent horse,' added McNamara.
Sportivo may head next to the Easter meeting at Fairyhouse after recording hos third win of the season, and his second at this venue, in the 2m2f handicap chase.
Kevin Coleman's mount led after two out, and appeared to have a bit in hand beating the staying on Shifting Alliance by three and a half lengths.
'He's improving and could go to Fairyhouse at Easter. He may not run again before that, and would be suited by at least two and a half miles,' said trainer John Joe Walsh.
Alan Magee
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