Paul Townend expects big things from El Fabiolo at Punchestown
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Paul Townend has five rides on day four of the Punchestown meeting and expects a big performance from El Fabiolo in the penultimate race.
We thought a lot of him when he won his maiden last year and then his season petered out. His second to Stattler reads very well now. He had a good confidence booster in Tramore the last day, winning and put it altogether. He has plenty of weight but horses with a lot of weight have a very good record in this.
The ground will suit and I think he will be very competitive. It is an open race. Willie Mullins has the top weight in Blue Sari, who Mark Walsh rides for JP McManus. He ran OK at Fairyhouse the last day. I give my horse a solid chance.
It looks to be between Elimay and Scarlet And Dove on all known form. Their form at Cheltenham was rock solid. It’ll have to be a career best for Dolcita to get involved but she has taken to fences really well and has improved. However, she’ll need a big step up to upset the top two.
The race revolves around Honeysuckle, but if you’re not in you can’t win. Echoes In Rain will just have to improve in everything she has done. She showed a lot of promise last year. However, she hasn’t fulfilled that this season but she is a course winner.
He won the County Hurdle at Cheltenham very impressively. That form wasn’t backed up at Aintree with the second horse running well below par. State Man steps up in trip here which shouldn’t be a worry. We think he is a very good horse. It is a small field and we think he can make the step up into Grade 1 company.
He ran a cracker at Aintree, just being beaten by Jonbon. He gained some very valuable experience there and we couldn’t be happier with him. I think he is my best ride of the day.
