A magnetoresistive (MR) read head is disclosed including a lower shield and gap
layer with an MR sensor located on top of the lower gap layer. The MR sensor includes
a free layer and a pinned layer. Located on top of the lower gap layer is a three-layer
hard bias layer for stabilizing the free layer of the MR sensor. A pair of lead
layers is located on top of the hard bias layer and coupled to the MR sensor. Associated
therewith is an upper gap and shield layer located on top of the lead layers.