Paul Townend reflects on successful Christmas campaign

Paul Townend reflects on a successful Christmas campaign and looks ahead to the Gold Cup

Galopin Des Champs had a lot of questions to answer after his defeats at the Punchestown Festival and in the John Durkan, but he put in a huge performance at Leopardstown. I rode him differently, he seemed to be very sweet, and he jumped brilliantly. Fastorslow was a non-runner on the day, and it’s impossible to know what would have happened if he turned up. However, Galopin Des Champs put up an absolutely massive performance and he would have been very hard to beat. I can’t wait to get back on him. Willie will probably bring him to the Dublin Racing Festival and then onto to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup. It is disappointing when big names get beaten but it makes it all the sweeter and more enjoyable when they do come back and perform at the level they are capable of.

State Man just turns up and wins. He is a joy to ride. He is one of my favourite horses. He had a big task on his hands with Impaire Et Passe but actually beat him snug enough come the line. Without Constitution Hill, he would be a real champion. He is probably not getting the credit he deserves because of that horse.

I had a great spin around in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase on Allaho. I really enjoyed it. It was my first time at Kempton and it was a really good experience. Shishkin departing at the second last felt like I was gifted a present, but by the time we landed at the back of the last, it was short lived. Hewick flew home and pushed Bravemansgame past me for second to take more money from us. It was a big run from Allaho. Did he stay? It is hard to know. He was outstayed by two really good horses. I couldn’t have had a better race, it all worked out perfectly, so I was disappointed to have been given a present and then it taken away from me. It was a brilliant race to be apart of. The atmosphere was massive and they are the days you want to be involved with.

Ballyburn was the most eye-catching maiden over Christmas. He was very good winning at Leopardstown, putting behind the defeat by Firefox at Fairyhouse. He has a huge engine. I wouldn’t be afraid to take on Firefox again. He is exciting.

Grangeclare West was a pleasant surprise. I didn’t envisage him winning as well as he did. I loved him as a novice hurdler at the start of the year, and I loved him after winning at Naas, but for me he needed to back it up because he didn’t do that last year. He most certainly done that at Leopardstown and now he has really thrown himself in the mix to be the first string in the staying novice chase division.

Finally, Jade De Grugy put up a big performance and she is a lovely filly, with a lovely way of racing and attitude, beating a nice field a long way. She has a huge future.

Galopin Des Champs had a lot of questions to answer after his defeats at the Punchestown Festival and in the John Durkan, but he put in a huge performance at Leopardstown. I rode him differently, he seemed to be very sweet, and he jumped brilliantly. Fastorslow was a non-runner on the day, and it’s impossible to know what would have happened if he turned up. However, Galopin Des Champs put up an absolutely massive performance and he would have been very hard to beat. I can’t wait to get back on him. Willie will probably bring him to the Dublin Racing Festival and then onto to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup. It is disappointing when big names get beaten but it makes it all the sweeter and more enjoyable when they do come back and perform at the level they are capable of.

State Man just turns up and wins. He is a joy to ride. He is one of my favourite horses. He had a big task on his hands with Impaire Et Passe but actually beat him snug enough come the line. Without Constitution Hill, he would be a real champion. He is probably not getting the credit he deserves because of that horse.

I had a great spin around in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase on Allaho. I really enjoyed it. It was my first time at Kempton and it was a really good experience. Shishkin departing at the second last felt like I was gifted a present, but by the time we landed at the back of the last, it was short lived. Hewick flew home and pushed Bravemansgame past me for second to take more money from us. It was a big run from Allaho. Did he stay? It is hard to know. He was outstayed by two really good horses. I couldn’t have had a better race, it all worked out perfectly, so I was disappointed to have been given a present and then it taken away from me. It was a brilliant race to be apart of. The atmosphere was massive and they are the days you want to be involved with.

Ballyburn was the most eye-catching maiden over Christmas. He was very good winning at Leopardstown, putting behind the defeat by Firefox at Fairyhouse. He has a huge engine. I wouldn’t be afraid to take on Firefox again. He is exciting.

Grangeclare West was a pleasant surprise. I didn’t envisage him winning as well as he did. I loved him as a novice hurdler at the start of the year, and I loved him after winning at Naas, but for me he needed to back it up because he didn’t do that last year. He most certainly done that at Leopardstown and now he has really thrown himself in the mix to be the first string in the staying novice chase division.

Finally, Jade De Grugy put up a big performance and she is a lovely filly, with a lovely way of racing and attitude, beating a nice field a long way. She has a huge future.