Paul Townend: Bright future in prospect for Fun Fun Fun
Published:
In his exclusive blog for Ladbrokes, jockey Paul Townend discusses the prospects of his four weekend rides at Fairyhouse and Thurles.
Saturday
The ground is going to be very testing at Fairyhouse. I start by riding Hunters Yarn in the Beginners Chase. He has some nice form over hurdles last year. He ran in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham and he was well fancied for it, but was a little bit disappointing. Things just didn’t go right for him on the day. He came back and ran well behind Hercule Du Seuil at Fairyhouse in a Grade 2. Hercule Du Seuil has gone on to do good things since so I think he sets a good standard here and I hope he takes to chasing quite well. We are looking forward to getting him going and of my two rides, he is my pick.
I ride O’Moore Park who has been off the track a long time; 590 plus days. However, Willie Mullins showed with Elixir D’ainay the other day that he hasn’t lost his touch in bringing horses back from absences. This lad is a point-to-pointer, jumps well, the trip will suit, and the race doesn’t look the most competitive maiden hurdle in the world. It is good to get him back on the track. As I said, the ground will be very testing for his first run in such a long time and that is not ideal.
Sunday
This is a French recruit who had two runs over there. He was narrowly touched off on his second run on the flat. The form of that race seems to be working out quite well. We hope he will take well to hurdles. His schooling has been good, and this looks a nice opportunity for him here.
She is one from one over hurdles with good bumper form. This is a much stiffer task than she had on her maiden hurdle but she jumped well that day, albeit a little keen for Patrick, but a better trace should help her settle. We are hoping for two from two over hurdles and I think she could have a very bright future ahead of her, going on to bigger and better things this season.
