Paul Townend hopes for more success on day three of Cheltenham Festival
Published:
Ladbrokes ambassador Paul Townend had a brilliant Wednesday with Impaire Et Passe winning the opening race before Energumene romped home to land the Queen Mother Champion Chase for the second year in a row.
The two-time Gold Cup winner talked to us about the chances of success with his four rides on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival, starting with his best hope for the day.
Appreciate It is stepping up in trip from the Irish Arkle which El Fabiolo gave a boost of form to earlier in the week. Mighty Potter has been very impressive over these type of trips in Ireland. He has done nothing wrong and is improving race to race.
I think the step up in trip will suit my horse. He’s a festival winner, winning the Supreme a couple of years ago. He’s a nine-year-old, but he hasn’t a lot of miles on the clock and I hope the Dublin Racing Festival has lit him up again. He is my best ride of the day.
Blue Lord steps up in trip from his big performance at Leopardstown over Christmas. He was second to Gentleman De Mee at the Dublin Racing Festival which was a bit disappointing. He won over a similar trip at Clonmel for his first run of the year.
👀 A shuddering mistake from Chacun Pour Soi sees Blue Lord take full advantage to land the G1 @paddypower Rewards Club Chase for @WillieMullinsNH, @Dazjacob10, @simon_munir & Isaac Souede @LeopardstownRC
6-7 over fences & 3 G1 wins too for Blue Lord 👏 pic.twitter.com/ljLzJkqj02
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 27, 2022
I think he will settle. Shishkin looked back to his brilliant best the last day and he will be hard to beat. I think we can give him a race on Blue Lord.
He beat Honeysuckle in the Hatton’s Grace but Teahupoo came and nabbed us late on. The ground will be interesting with Teahupoo. Klassical Dream hasn’t been seen since then. He runs well fresh so that isn’t a worry.
He has been settling much better in his races and behaving himself a lot more this year. He hasn’t a great record at Cheltenham since winning the Supreme a few years ago though. The two French horses add a bit of spice to it as well.
Luccia looks the stand-out mare in this race. We are getting weight off her. Lots Of Joy has got a bit of experience over hurdles and is learning to race like a jumps mare now. I think there are a lot of horses in here with big each-way chances at big prices. Magical Zoe won very well earlier in the season and hasn’t been seen since. Jetara holds very strong form as well. Lots Of Joy is improving, is a very good flat mare and should give a very good account of herself.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
