The Yorkshireman leads Les Etoiles de Pau following a jump-perfect cross country round on Carousel Quest.

 

But his solitary HSBC rival - British team-mate William Fox-Pitt - is almost 40 points behind in 15th spot.

 

It means Townend succeeds Fox-Pitt as HSBC champion following victories at Badminton and Burghley already this year.

 

With a fence in hand approaching tomorrow's showjumping phase, Townend could end 2009 as winner of three of the world's major five four-star events.

 

During the past 12 months, Townend has collected more than £300,000 in prize money alone from major events.

 

He will head to Lexington next April in pursuit of the Rolex Grand Slam, a £213,000 jackpot for winners of consecutive Badminton, Burghley and Lexington events.

 

The feat is so difficult only one previous rider - Britain's Pippa Funnell - has achieved it.

 

Townend said: "I saw William have the run-out, and the difficult thing was knowing I had already won it.

 

"Carousel has great jumping ability and a wonderful gallop."

 

Townend now hopes that Carousel Quest will be strongly considered for next year's World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, where he has an outstanding opportunity of succeeding Zara Phillips as world eventing champion.

 

He said: "I just knew I had to bring him home, and to win the HSBC Classics is fantastic."

 

Townend's latest triumph also provided a thrilling moment for Carousel's owner, Lancashire businessman Andrew Cawthray.

 

Cawthray said: "We are a great team.

 

"All I try to do is give Ollie the tools to do the job.

 

"He is a very talented rider."