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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Townend doubles up on Hall

Wed 20th Jun 2018, 19:26

Konig Hall and Paul Townend (right) beat Drakaina Konig Hall and Paul Townend (right) beat Drakaina
© Photo Healy Racing

Paul Townend secured a double at Wexford this evening when Konig Hall rewarded his supporters in the two-mile handicap hurdle.

Townend produced his mount to lead two from home and he stuck on best in the closing stages to repel the challenge of Drakaina by two-and-three-quarter lengths.

The Anthony McCann-trained winner had traded at 7/1 this morning and was sent to post the 9/2 favourite.

He had been well held on the Flat at Limerick four days ago but had previously chased home Golden Poet over timber at Kilbeggan.

McCann said: "I thought he was never going to win over hurdles to tell you the truth. He always got one to beat him and I thought the one coming on the outside was going to do him again today. He actually went on and picked up again.

"You can put a line through him last run at Limerick. He backed off with the visor on. I put the visor on because I thought he didn't go through with his race at Kilbeggan.

"I put the cheekpieces back on him today and they seemed to work. Paul gave him a very good ride. Johnny Moore was supposed to ride him but he is away on holidays.

"It was a well-deserved win.

"He'll probably stay over hurdles. I can't understand why he is not putting it in on the Flat, he might have another go on it, I think he is very well-handicapped on the Flat."

(Quotes by Donal Murphy)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.