Townend doubles-up aboard Wonder After winning the second on Mystic Theatre, Paul Townend doubled-up aboard Wonderoftheworld in the Summer Party Pack Discount Group Booking Maiden Hurdle. Second on his debut in a point-to-point at Loughbrickland in April of 2016, the bay gelding was having his first start on the racecourse proper this evening. As short as 6/1 this morning, the Alan Fleming trained five-year-old touched 16s on-course, before going off a 14/1 chance. Settled well off the paced in mid-division, he took closer order before two out. He swept through to lead on the approach to the last, and kept on well from there to register an easy five and a half length success. Coeur Joyeux was backed from 11/2 to 4/1 on-course, and he had to settle for second yet again, with Luke Dempsey in the saddle for his father Philip. 66/1 chance Whatsinaname was four and a quarter lengths back in third for Andrew Lynch and Henry De Bromhead. The Joseph O'Brien trained Boston Spray was sent off the 2/1 favourite, and he faded tamely from the second last, and was eventually pulled up. Barry Connell owns the successful son of Beneficial, and he said afterwards: "The race fell apart. It was his first run over hurdles and he lacked experience so I said to Paul to take his time and let him find his feet. "He was plenty keen with him but the race did fall apart and I suppose it flattered him a little bit. "We're delighted as he's a chaser really and it's nice to get that under his belt. Hopefully he'll go on from there. "We'll see what mark he gets over hurdles but I'd say we mightn't stay too long over hurdles. "He handled that ground grand. They've done a good job on the ground and it's lovely and safe. "He might go on spring ground but I wouldn't say he'd want Gowran Thyestes type ground." STEWARDS REPORTS * R.A. Doyle, rider of Eau De Horse trained by I.Madden, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was kicking out at the start. * The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Boston Spray, trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
