Townshend impresses in all the way win

The Willie Mullins trained Townshend recorded his third win over fences, as he made all in the Boyle Novice Chase.

Successful on his second start over the larger obstacles at Naas in March, the German bred gelding fell when tried in Grade 1 company at the Punchestown Festival.

He ran out an easy winner on his return to the Co Kildare venue last month, and he was sent off the 5/4 favourite (available at 2s last night) to follow-up today.

Sent straight to the front by Ruby Walsh, he jumped well throughout and was pushed out on the run-in to record a comfortable four and a half length success. Peregrine Run a Grade 2 winner over hurdles, ran a fine race to finish second on his debut over fences. The Peter Fahey trained gelding was returned at 7/1 with Roger Loughran in the saddle. Landofhopeandglory who is a Grade 3 winner over flights, was sent off at 7/4 (from 9/4), and he finished fourth under Mark Walsh for Joseph O'Brien.

Ruby Walsh said afterwards: "It was a good performance. With Potters Point he only confirmed the form and with the other two smart horses he probably had a hell of a lot of experience compared to them.

"In the summer time jumping counts even more so than in the winter. You are going faster and on tighter tracks. When you are as quick as he is in the air you can put the novices under pressure."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson