Townend doubles up as Joyce opens account

Loughrea trainer Shane Joyce saddled his first winner under rules when Saddlenomore defied top-weight with some style in the www.thetote.com Handicap Hurdle to complete a double on the day for champion jockey Paul Townend.

The Saddlers’ Hall mare travelled smoothly to lead entering the straight, and the 9/1 chance kept on really well to beat Swift Lady (12/1) by seven and a half lengths.

The heavily-backed 100/30 favourite Rather Curious was another length and a quarter away in third, with Lion Valley (14/1) completing the placings in fourth.

Joyce, who only took out a licence nine months ago and already has five point-to-point winners to his name, said, “I thought this morning she would win but I had a runner earlier that ran quite poorly – Saddleoncemore finished seventh in the mares maiden hurdle – and that was a bit of a worry.

“I’m delighted with her today carrying top-weight on that ground. Her work has been brilliant and that’s her trip, with a bit with it. Paul gave her a mighty ride and she’s a chaser in the making.”

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)