NIGHT ON THE TOWN
Paul completes super quadruple on return ahead of Cheltenham
PAUL TOWNEND made a spectacular return from injury as he teamed up with Willie Mullins for a stunning pre Cheltenham fourtimer yesterday at Gowran.
Townend hadn’t ridden since injuring his ankle in a last fence fall from Killultagh Vic in last month’s Irish Gold Cup but made a timely return to the saddle ahead of next week.
His four timer was headed by Pairofbrowneyes who made a stunning debut for Mullins (right) in the €100,000 Toals.com Leinster National Handicap Chase.
The dire ground made this near three miles contest quite a stamina test but Pairofbrowneyes took it all in his stride having gone off a well backed 9/2 chance.
The Luso gelding was going especially well when he cruised into contention after the fourth last and he then moved to the head of the field turning for home.
Townend’s mount then remained in control over the last three fences to finish almost four lengths clear of Space Cadet. “He did what he’s bred to do and we’ll look forward to all the long distance chases with
him now,” said Mullins. “He’s now qualified for the Aintree Grand National and that was the prime reason for running him today.
“He’s in the Irish National too and we could also wait for Punchestown, there are plenty of options for him.”
Epicuris, who finished fifth in the 2015 Epsom Derby, showed a glimpse of his old class when landing the second of the maiden hurdles. The former Group 1-winning twoyearold had been disappointing up to now but offered hope for the future in running out an eight lengths winner for Townend.
“He’s just not in love with the ground and you could see that but he’s getting his act together,” stated Townend.
“I do think that he will be better when he gets on a bit of nicer ground. At the start of the season we thought he was very good.”
Townend could hardly have hoped for a smoother return to action that the one that Saglawy provided him with in the opener.
The 2/5 favourite eased into the lead nearing the second last flight and he went on to defeat Icario by 15 lengths.
Elsewhere trainer Seamus Spillane record his biggest success to date when Goulane Chosen landed the valuable Shamrock Handicap Chase.
The conditions took quite a toll on the runners as only five of the contestants completed but Goulane Chosen coped well with this test. Donie Mcinerney’s mount took control of the race over the last half mile to come home seven lengths clear of La Bella Vida.
Indications afterwards were that Goulane Chosen could have the Galway Plate in August as a long term objective.