Townend doubles up on Falcon Eight

Chester Cup winner Falcon Eight (13/8) got off the mark under National Hunt rules in the BetVictor Maiden Hurdle over 2m7f.

Fifth to Journey With Me on hurdling debut at Leopardstown, Paul Townend’s mount chased the leaders and was pushed along to challenge at the second-last. In front soon after, he was kept up to his work on the run-in to beat the 109-rated Rajsalad (received 15lb) by a length and three quarters.

It was a double for the champion jockey after Adamantly Chosen in the earlier maiden hurdle.

The winner, who’s also entered in the Ballymore, was left unchanged at 14/1 by Paddy Power for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

Kris Weld, assistant to winning trainer Dermot Weld, said: "He did it well and the ground was probably slower than ideal for him. He jumped well and hopefully he can improve from that again in the weeks and months ahead. He probably needs to get more experience under his belt but it was nice to get that out of the top and to have Paul available to ride him was the cherry on the top.

"He is a very high class horse at his best and has run some excellent races in some of those Group staying races. We'll be mixing it between flat and hurdles during year with him.

"The last day I was here Merchant Royal won a hunters chase in my own colours so I better stay away for another ten years!"

Quotes from Thomas Weekes