TOWNEND CHACUN AND STIRRED ON DAY ONE
PAUL TOWNEND’S limp was apparent as he carried his saddle towards the weigh-in area by the Punchestown parade ring yesterday but inside he was dancing for joy.
On his return after a three-week absence with a damaged foot, Townend opened the throttle on Chacun Pour Soi to seize the €250,000 William Hill Champion Chase spoils and regain the high ground in the race for the Irish jockey’s title.
On a day when Willie Mullins blitzed the Festival card with a 1,825/1 five-timer, including a Grade One treble, and banked booty of almost €350,000, Townend’s sole win felt as good as any this season.
It confirmed he was fit to return, if not quite ready yet for the Siege of Ennis, and extended his lead to five over Rachael Blackmore, 96-91, in the defence of his Irish jump jockey’s title.
‘Walking is uncomfortable but it is fine. Once I get up on the horse’s back, I feel 100 per cent. I had to show that to get passed for racing,’ said Townend who rode in exercise boots for a little extra protection.
‘I was always confident I’d get here. There was a timescale at the start and it was just taking a bit longer than we had hoped. Maybe that little bit of extra time has done it the world of good.’
As Blackmore clawed back from 10 behind to just four before racing yesterday, Townend was powerless. ‘I had enough to worry about myself never mind worrying about someone else.’
In contrast to Cheltenham last month, Townend gunned the revs at the drop of the flag in the twomiler and then sat tight as Chacun Pour Soi and Allaho, ridden by Blackmore, duelled at a frightening lick.
‘We were riding for different owners, obviously the same trainer, and the two of us were doing our best to win. That is what we are paid to do.’
Allaho couldn’t sustain the breakneck pace as Chacun Pour Soi redeemed his glowing reputation with a cushy five and a half length success.
Had Townend opted for similar front-running tactics at Prestbury Park, Chacun Pour Soi may have drawn the steam from Put The Kettle On, but we’ll never know.
‘That was the real Chacun; Jesus he was electric,’ grinned Townend. ‘We were all disappointed in Cheltenham but that’s horses. He fired here. That was a proper performance.’
With four days to go, it will take something special from Blackmore to claw back the deficit and the sight of her pulling up Envoi Allen, later found to be lame, before the last in the Champion Novice Chase summed up a frustrating afternoon.
Colreevy (7/1), under Danny Mullins, was the shock winner of the two-miler as Monkfish, conceding seven pounds, ran out of juice. It was the mare’s final race as she’s been covered, which made her pillar-to-post display all the more remarkable.
‘I said to Willie beforehand that I wanted to bounce out and just flow. When she warmed into it she was very good,’ purred the pilot.
The first Grade One, the €100,000 eComm Champion Novice Hurdle went to the Mullinstrained Echoes In Rain, which was fitting as the heavens opened shortly before the off.
Sent off at 8/13, the five-year-old mare sluiced in under Patrick Mullins and may be aimed at the Champion Hurdle.
‘It’s taken us two years to settle her down. She’s learning how to pace herself and is improving with every run,’ said the trainer.
Runner-up Colonel Mustard belied his odds of 40/1 to collar Blue Lord near the post and bank second prize of €20,000.
Wicklow trainer Philip Rothwell was all smiles too after a 390/1 double with Cousin Harry (25/1) in the opening handicap hurdle and Singing Banjo (14/1) in the Ladies Perpetual Cup.