Allee Garde #8217;s win in the Sean Grahams Bookmakers Maiden Hurdle (div 2) at Down Royal today helped Paul Townend move into a three-way share for the lead at the head of the Jump Jockeys’ Championship.

Allee Garde, placed in four of his five bumper runs, had little trouble recording an impressive 12 lengths win which moved Townend onto the 55 winner mark for the season, joining rivals Andrew McNamara and Paul Carberry at the head of the Jockeys Championship.

Afterwards winning trainer Willie Mullins stated “Allee Garde is bred for jumping and is closely related to Clan Royal. We were hoping to win a bumper with him but hurdling has seemed to bring out the best in him.”

“He’ll have no trouble staying two and a half miles and will be upped in trip once the ground starts to dry out – he’ll make a lovely chaser in time.”

Thomas Weekes