Paul Townend Aintree blog: ‘We haven’t seen the best of him yet’
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Ladbrokes presents the latest Paul Townend Aintree blog, with the leading jockey previewing his rides ahead of tomorrow’s Grand National.
Paul Townend blog
He was a big fancy at Newbury but ran a bit keen and petered out late on. Then at Cheltenham he was a little bit free again so he will have to settle much better. I think with the couple of runs under his belt in English races, he can step forward from that again. I can definitely see him running into a place if he settles. He will handle the ground and I think he is a live one. We haven’t seen the best of him yet and he is an each-way bet.
He was behind Firefox and Mystical Power in the Supreme and has a couple of lengths to find with them but I think he can close the gap up. That was only his second start for us after winning at Limerick at the end of January. He is a lightly raced horse, opened to improvement. I am hoping he will be in the shake up. Mystical Power sets the standard though.
He has been such a consistent horse for us. He hasn’t been seen since September at Gowran. That was on heavy ground, but all his best form is on much better ground and in lesser company. He will have to put his best foot forward. His first run in a long time on heavy ground isn’t going to be ideal, especially against horses of this calibre. It will be very hard work, but I am looking forward to having a go on him and hopefully he can win a few later on in the season for us.
He has been very consistent without getting his day in big handicaps all throughout the last season in Ireland. He ran out well in Cheltenham, beaten 8l by Shakem Up’arry. I think he is a brave horse, he has a bit of class, and should travel well. He should take to the ences but we won’t know until we try. He carries plenty of weight but does so for a reason…he has a bit of class. I think I can get in a good rhythm and get in the frame.
He was a big fancy of mine going to Cheltenham and we don’t have an excuse for it. He was beaten at the top of the hill. I am willing to put a line through that run and give him a second chance. It was too bad to be true. His work has been fine since and forgiving that run, you would have to say he has a big chance. I picked him over Dancing City who is a G1 winner and ran a cracker to come third in the Albert Bartlett so it wasn’t an easy decision to make. I just don’t think we have seen the best of my lad. If he puts it together, I think he has a huge performance in him. He is my best ride of the day.
