Townend tipped to return at weekend

WILLIE MULLINS hopes his stable jockey Paul Townend will be fit for the weekend after he missed Punchestown yesterday. He sat out the ride on Asterion Forlonge – who departed at the first in the Grade Three Sky Bet Killiney Novice Chase won by Envoi Allen – as he was feeling the effects of a fall from Youmdor at Fairyhouse 24 hours earlier. After Mullins had completed a double in his absence at Punchestown, he said: ‘Paul was sore after his fall yesterday, and I said to him this morning that I’d prefer he’d rest rather than come here – especially with the first two races being graded ones. ‘There are important races coming up, and I’m hoping he’ll be back next weekend. I didn’t put him on anything Monday or Tuesday.’