Cove provides Townend with first Laytown success

Jody Townend broke new ground by partnering her first winner at Laytown, as she guided Jungle Cove (22/1 from 7s early) to victory in the ONEILLS.COM Qualified Riders Handicap.

In mid-division early on, the easy-to-back Jessica Harrington-trained grey improved to track the leaders on the inner from halfway.

Getting a desired gap from the two furlong pole, the seven-year-old was soon ridden to challenge on the outer and edged to the front inside the final 150 yards, keeping on well from there to score by a length and a half.

Returned at 4/1, Harry's Bar travelled strongly from the two furlong pole and while he briefly led, he ultimately couldn't hold off the winner and had to settle for second under Patrick Mullins.

Successful in this very race 12-months ago, the well-backed Punk Poet (9/4f from 6s early) finished third under John Gleeson, while Livio Milo who had a far from clear passage, was fourth.

"He loved it!" Townend enthused.

"They were unsure (if he would like the surface) - they thought it might spark him up a bit. He has plenty of ability on his day.

"He's a bit of a yard favourite I'd say with them.

"It did (reignite his enthusiasm) - I'm not sure how he would get on with seven furlongs anywhere else! He hopped off it and he enjoyed it. Cantering down he had his ears pricked.

"It is hard to ride a winner here and it is good to get it on the CV."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham