Paul Townend blog: ‘I think he will take plenty of beating’
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We’re back with another Paul Townend blog, which sees the leading jockey and Ladbrokes ambassador preview his rides at Fairyhouse on Saturday.
Paul Townend blog
He had some good place form in maidens throughout the season. He wears a tongue strap for the first time and I hope that will help him. He’s gone on heavy ground a few times and I think the tongue strap can bring about a bit of improvement. Normally you wouldn’t like to see a tongue strap on heavy ground, but he’s shown he can handle it ok. It’s not a bad maiden. Colm Murphy’s The Lovely Man had a nice placed run the last day and Conor Walsh’s 5lbs claim will help. Emmet Mullins puts a tongue strap on Postileo, a horse who had a huge rating on the flat, but was a bit disappointing at Leopardstown. I am happy with my lad and I think he will take plenty of beating.
Instit is consistent without getting her head in front of late. She gives a lot of weight to these horses. They are claiming off Harmonya Maker so we are giving ten pounds plus to everything in the race. She runs her race every day. She was well beaten at Cheltenham but this looks a lot calmer waters. I can see her running a big race. The worry is all the weight we have to give away and on heavy ground, it will be tough. She will run her race again and hopefully she is good enough.
Olympic Man is a funny horse to work out. He’s getting on age but has very little miles on the clock. He had a very good run at Galway back in August. I got beat on him then in October when we thought we would win. He put up a good performance over 2m3f at Naas just before Cheltenham and Willy is getting a clear run with him now and I hope he can fulfil the promise he showed when we first had him. He’s had a lot of problems but the owners have been very patient with him and I think they have a decent horse on their hands once they can keep him right. His jumping leaves a bit to be desired in his three runs to be honest, but up to 2m7f, he will have loads of time to get his act together jumping and won’t be in any rush. I think he can stay and I am happy with my choice. He is my best ride of the day.
He was pulled up in the County Hurdle which is a worry. His runs before that were ok, but he has also thrown in some stinkers. He was very keen at Leopardstown at Christmas when he pulled up on heavy ground. He is top weight in this handicap so he is up against it and will have to put his best foot forward.
