Irish National runner-up heads for Galway

Irish Grand National runner-up Away We Go gained a deserved win in the Punchestown On Facebook Chase at Punchestown today, justifying 3/1 favouritism for Champion Trainer Willie Mullins and former Champion Jockey Paul Townend.

Townend moved the 11 year old gelding through to lead when taking advantage of an opening on the inside approaching the third last fence and from there the pair maintained their lead for a three parts of a length win over Pageboy

Mullins was initially absent for the win but Townend later stated “he jumped great but I was maybe in front a bit soon but I had to take the run (up the inside) when i got it.” Away We Go was winning his first race since finishing second, under Townend, to Liberty Counsel in the 2013 Irish National, and was winning his third race for Mullins and his seventh career race.

Following the win of his Totally Dominant in the concluding bumper, trainer Mullins stated “I imagine he'll (Away We Go) go for the Plate and I doubt he'll run beforehand as its less than seven weeks away.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson