Paul Townend blog: ‘I’m delighted to pick up the ride’
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In the latest Paul Townend blog for Ladbrokes, the leading jockey discusses the prospects of his rides at Gowran Park on Saturday and at Punchestown on Sunday
Paul Townend blog
He’s had some nice runs in maidens. He has a rating of 119 and I think that can make him very competitive. He’s sure to run a nice race. His form ties in with Lark In The Mornin who looks like one that will be prominent in the betting. Gordon Elliott’s Barrier ran on well in Naas from off the pace and finished second. Jessie Harrington knows the time of day and I’m delighted to pick up the ride. ‘
He hasn’t run since falling at the last in Listowel. He’d run up a nice sequence of wins before that. He should handle the ground. The worry is it’s his first run back in so long on such heavy ground. He’s giving race fitness away to some of these but off his mark he is very competitive. He is giving 7lb to Riviere D’etel who had a hard enough race in Naas last week behind Allegorie de Vassy. The ratings give him a brilliant chance.
He had a nice run behind Tactical Move on the last day. He was also behind Saint Felicien that day. He has seven lengths to make up on him. It’s not an easy task to be honest. Willie runs three and I didn’t think there was an awful lot between them. I’ve gone for Spanish Harlem as he is the younger horse who is less exposed. He has had the two runs over fences now so has a bit of experience but I think Saint Felicien is going to be very hard to beat.
Best ride: Saint Sam
He shows us a lot at home but has been disappointing on the track. Although he won the first day he got a good fright from another runner of ours that has disappointed since. If he can produce what he shows us at home he would be hard to beat but he has to leave a very poor run at Nass behind him and would have to jump a bit better.
He was a faller late on in Navan the last time. His jumping had been good up to that. He’d shown a bit of promise on his first run but he was going to be well beaten when he fell in Navan. It would have to be a career best to get involved here. Senior Chief looks very hard to beat. His form with Minella Cocooner is strong.
I will be missing a few dinners and breakfast to ride this one. He’s got in off a very light weight, the lightest I will have done in a while. He looks thrown in off his hurdle mark but he looks to be a better hurdler than chaser. I suppose over this trip on heavy ground he will have a chance to get jumping. He was very impressive winning a valuable handicap hurdle in Navan the last day so he will handle the ground. If we can get in a nice rhythm he has a lovely racing weight.
He’s a very exciting bumper horse who was turned over at short odds first time out over hurdles. He made amends in Naas. He has the benefit of two runs over hurdles now which will stand him in good stead. He’s done a lot of schooling since. I thought the drop back in trip was the key the last day so I would hope he will take a bit of beating. No Flies On Him was impressive in Leopardstown over Christmas when all the racing is very competitive. He will warrant plenty of respect as well Jigoro who was second to Mystical Power.
She has been hitting the crossbar without troubling the winners in a couple of runs. Her jumping is improving but she is a bit careful. This looks a nice opportunity for her. She could possibly do with nicer ground but it is what it is. She will have her chance.
Best ride – Tullyhill
