Paul Townend previews his weekend rides at Navan and Thurles

I am glad to be back riding. I was sore after Youmdor’s fall at Fairyhouse last Saturday and the days I have had off since have given me a chance to recover in time to be in action at Navan on Saturday and Thurles on Sunday.

At Navan I start with Ruaille Buaille (12.50) whose last run was an improved effort on the few days she disappointed before that. She was unlucky in Galway and showed a bit more the last day.

Gordon Elliott’s four-year-old at the bottom Riviere D’etel gets all the weight and looks to be the one we have to beat. I was very taken by her win in Punchestown. She looks to race quite freely but the weight allowance will be a big help.

Noel Meade’s horse The Devilscoachman didn’t run too bad behind Appreciate It in the Grade 1 in Leopardstown and this will be a much easier task.

Eden Flight (13.22) was in the process of running a nice race when he fell at the last in Navan. At the time our horses probably weren’t flying. Everything else that ran that day improved a lot. I can’t see any reason why this fella won’t be the same.

Henry De Bromhead’s horse Mr Incredible followed home Gaillard Du Mesnil in what I thought was a very good maiden in Leopardstown. The West Awaits also has some nice bits of form for Willie. It’s her first run for a while and first over hurdles but she does receive a 7lb allowance.

But Eden Flight wears a hood that will help him settle and if he can improve he will be thereabouts.

The step up to three miles will be a help for Lord Royal (15.07). I thought I was going to win in Thurles when he fell at the second last. He then disappointed in Naas but that run was nearly too bad to be true.

I think three miles is what he has been looking for and this looks a nice opportunity for him. The Big Dog has plenty of experience and a rating of 135. He sets a good benchmark so we will know where we are after this.

Sunday

My first ride is Colreevy (13.30), who was the winner of a Grade 1 in Limerick over Christmas. She has taken really well to chasing, but this won’t be an easy task given she will be conceding 7lb to Yukon Lil because of the Grade 1 penalty.

Hopefully she can overcome that. Chasing seems to have brought about some improvement on her decent hurdle form.

I’m with Allaho (14.00) again in the Grade 2 Chase where the conditions of the race seem to suit him very well. I can’t see the drop back to 2m4f being a problem for him. Hopefully he can get back to winning ways. It looks an ideal opportunity.

Fighter Allen (15.00) has to leave a very poor run in Navan the last day behind him. It was too bad to be true. The trip shouldn’t be a worry for him.

I was very taken by Gentlemansgame the last day. Giving him 3lb won’t be easy but hopefully Fighter Allen can put that last run behind him because I liked him a lot when he won first time out for us.

Paul