Townend seals double to keep up title push at Fairyhouse

JOCKEYS’ championship leader Paul Townend enjoyed a fine start to 2019 as he booted home a Fairyhouse double yesterday.

Townend initiated his brace on board My Sister Sarah (4/7 favourite), which resumed winning ways for Willie Mullins in the Mares Novice Hurdle.

The five-year-old eased past Western Victory on the run to final flight, but Townend had to ask her for more on the run-in to account for a rallying rival by a length.

Mullins said: “She made hard work of it, but I think she just had a very hard race the last day and she possibly remembered it a bit.

“She’s still learning and I think she’s still improving. The second is a good mare and they have gone quite a bit clear of the rest.”

Townend doubled up aboard Ronald Pump, which stayed on strongly to reward favourite backers at 9/2 in the Join Fairyhouse Members Club Handicap Hurdle for trainer Matthew Smith.

Forged

Kilkishen (17/2) forged on well at the end of three miles and a furlong to take the Introducing Racing TV Handicap Chase under Danny Mullins.

Clementina finished best of all to land the Donnelly Providers Handicap Hurdle. Tony Martin’s 7/4 joint-favourite knuckled down to her task and managed to hold on by a short-head under Eoin O’Connell, with Oscars Den second under Townend.

“The young fella is riding out of his skin and he was very confident. You couldn’t ask for better,” said Martin.

Swordsman (3/1) cut a dash under Jack Kennedy in the Happy New Year From All At Fairyhouse Maiden Hurdle and Kennedy struck again with Roaring Bull (4/7 favourite) in the Follow Fairyhouse On Social Media Beginners Chase.