Townend has four-timer on riding return

PAUL Townend enjoyed a fairytale return to action on the eve of Cheltenham with a 36-1 four-timer at Gowran – highlighted by Pairofbrowneyes in the toals.com Bookmakers Leinster National.

The former Irish champion had been sidelined since damaging an ankle in a fall from Killultagh Vic in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown but got back in the groove in some style on a quartet of winners for Willie Mullins, who had a five-timer.

Townend rode Pairofbrowneyes with renewed confidence thanks to his two earlier successes as he brought the 9-2 chance to lead at the third-last fence and bounded clear.

The nine-year-old scored by three and three-quarter lengths from Space Cadet, with Glencairn View a further three and a quarter lengths away in third.

Saglawy (2-5), Epicuris (3-1) and Up For Review (1-5) also won for the duo and Mullins admitted, with understatement: ‘It’s a nice day for Paul. The two guys (Townend and Ruby Walsh) are back now full of confidence.’