Townend doubles up on Percy Veer

Paul Townend completed a quick double at Listowel as Percy Veer took the three-mile Charleville Cheese Maiden Hurdle.

Townend had an armchair ride on 1/16 chance Wicklow Brave in the previous Kerrymaid Hurdle but had to work much harder here in a tight three-way finish.

The Eric McNamara-trained gelding, who was close-up when unseating at the last in the novice won by Dinons at Killarney last month, led approaching the penultimate flight.

The 3/1 chance was strongly pressed at the last but kept on gamely on the run-in to hold off 7/4 favourite Macxgiloney by a neck, with Presentingprincess just a short-head back in third.

McNamara said, "He ran well at Killarney when he was going to finish second in a good race so stepping back to a maiden today we were always hopeful.

"He loves that good ground and he is crying out for every yard of three miles. It was his first time running over it but we always felt he wanted it. He got a great ride, a strong ride, from Paul.

"He's entered for a handicap hurdle on Thursday but he won't run.

"I love this place and we always try and have a winner here if it is at all possible. The pressure is off now!"

(TW & AM)