A TOWNEND TREBLE?

PAUL could be the man to follow at Sligo, where he looks to have good prospects of notching up a hat-trick.

The former champion jockey has several good chances for Willie Mullins and the pair can land the opener with Cool Colonnade.

This filly is making her hurdling debut, but she did show some promise on the Flat last summer. On her Flat runs, Cool Colonnade never went beyond a mile, but she is a half-sister to Lagostovegas so there are grounds for believing that she will get the trip.

Townend and Mullins should also strike with Pleasure Dome, who won over fences at Tramore last time. She now reverts to hurdles and appears to face a straight forward task against just four rivals.

Afatcat is a hopeful choice to strike for Townend in the first of the handicap hurdles.

Elsewhere, Cheap And Cheerful can win the second maiden hurdle, Coole Craft is the choice in the 80-95 rated handicap hurdle, while Hugo ‘n Taz can continue win for Denis Hogan in the two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle.