Townend credited with bumper success

Jody Townend's growing knowledge of the bumper business helped steer trainer Garrett Ahern and mare Mrs Underwood to victory in the concluding Racing Again June 2nd Bumper at Wexford today, thereby rewarding some market support.

Townend, who works alongside her brother Champion Jockey Paul Townend at Willie Mullins' all-conquering Closutton yard, today partnered the winning daughter of Fame And Glory to a neck win over Sadie's Pride with trainer Ahern later giving great credit to the winning jockey.

Ahern commented “Jody got a right feel from her in Punchestown and begged us to come back for a bumper - she said going back to ordinary company you will be bang there so she takes a lot of the credit.

“We weren't sure about the ground and her owners deserve credit too, Ger Gubbins, Lisa Pyne and Jason O'Sullivan. When she wasn't showing a whole lot of promise as a young mare they told us to keep going and how right they were.

"She did a savage piece of work with (stablemate) Slainte And Thanks and she ran very well here last Sunday when not getting the good ground she wants. We were more confident after that.

"We were sticking to point-to-points but we are better going this route with her I'd say. She will go for a summer mares maiden hurdle somewhere now, maybe back here."

Mrs Underwood was returned a nicely supported 10/1 chance, having been a 50/1 chance this morning but with, in the region, of 55c in Rule 4 deductions.

Quotes from Donal Murphy