Paul Townend hopes to end Christmas Festival on a high
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Ladbrokes ambassador Paul Townend has had a successful Christmas Festival ahead of Thursday’s climax at Leopardstown where he has four rides.
He has been declared to run a few times this year but with races being called off we haven’t got to run him. I have stuck with him. He held the highest of company in bumpers last year and I think jumping will bring about a lot of improvement in him. He was a point-to-point winner.
I don’t think there is a whole lot between him and Embassy Gardens who has the benefit of a run already this season at Cork. He steps up a half-mile which will suit him and he will be hard to beat. Gordon Elliott sends Search For Glory jumping after winning a bumper back in November and he has race fitness as well. I have gone with Madmansgame and hopefully I don’t look mad after it.
She was a lucky enough winner of the Pertemps Qualifier and it was lucky the line wasn’t about five yards down the track! She drops back to two-and-a-half miles, and I don’t think that will be a concern for her. Also, winning the last day will give her a lot of confidence.
On ratings it brings her right up with Queens Brook. We are getting four pounds and only rated one pound behind her. In theory we should have three pounds up our sleeve, but Queens Brook was very impressive at Punchestown the last day, beating Heaven Help Us. She sets the standard here. Our one seems to be back to herself and will come here with confidence.
Gaillard Du Mesnil – 1.45 Leopardstown
She ran a cracker behind Mighty Potter in the Drinmore for our first run of the season. Stepping up to three miles can only bring about improvement here. Three Stripe Life could be the forgotten one out of that Drinmore race. He made a bad mistake and all but got rid of Davy Russell and was pulled up after that.
It’s interesting that they put a tongue strap on him for the first time but with the benefit of a run under our belt, I am hoping our horse can land a win over chases. He has a lot of experience over these horses.
He was good in the Morgiana when beating Sharjah. This is Sharjah’s race though as he is so good around Leopardstown but hopefully we can get the better of him. I loved what State Man did the last day.
Vauban is an interesting one here and his form with Pied Piper ties in well with last year. On ratings I am happy to go with my horse and I think he will come on plenty from the Morgiana. I will put him up as my best ride of the day.
