Townend completes 54/1 treble on Patricks Park

Paul Townend could hardly have dreamed things could go much better today at Punchestown as he completed a near 54/1 treble when Patricks Park came out best in a dramatic finish to the Guinness Handicap Chase.

The former champion jockey left the Co. Kildare venue just 24 hours earlier in despair following a bizzare incident that left him facing a 21 days suspension for dangerous riding.

He looked set to land the Grade 1 Growise Champion Novice Chase on Al Boum Photo approaching the last only to mistakenly believe the final fence was to be bypassed and ended up crashing through the wing and taking rival Finian’s Oscar out of the race.

However Townend showed his mettle in the heat of battle that is the National Hunt Festival and, following earlier wins on Pravalaguna and Next Destination made it a superb treble on the day aboard Patricks Park.

The 11/2 chance looked vulnerable to the stalking and well-backed Blast Of Koeman approaching the final fence until the latter made a mistake which resulted in Phillip Enright holding onto his mount’s neck to keep the partnership intact.

Enright lost his irons in the incident and came up a neck short at the line, with the pair eight lengths clear of Oscar Knight in third. Polidam completed the places in fourth.

Willie Mullins, who was saddling the fifth leg of what would ultimately be a 9,802/1 six-timer on the day, said “The last day with Paul in Fairyhouse everything that could go wrong went wrong. He just ended up in the wrong position and every time he tried to get in to a better position something jumped across him. It was a complete disaster.

“Today everything went right and Paul said he was just idling in front. When the second came he kept pulling out more and more.

“I'm very happy for Simon. He was a budget priced horse and it's great to have a big win with him. He also won at Leopardstown in February so that's two big days for him.”

When asked if he could consider the Galway Plate he added:- “That's a possibility. He wouldn't have too big a weight. He could go down that road. I'll have to have a chat with Simon and see what he wants to do. He wants a nice dig in the ground so I don't know if I want to race him on summer ground and he's after doing everything right for us.

“After the madness of Punchestown is over we'll have a chat. It's been a fantastic day. I didn't expect to be in front by Saturday never mind Wednesday!”

(GC & AM)