Paul Townend showed just why he’s regarded as one of the best in the business when completing a double of the afternoon with a superb ride on Followmeuptocarlow

The Tom Foley-trained needs to be delivered with a late challenge but Townend showed brilliant timing as he still had over half of the 24-runner field in front of him after two out.

However the 10/1 chance fairly motored on the run-in and just pegged back Vaxalco in the final strides to score by half a length. Brian Who and Tipped Up Harry completed the placings, while 2012 Irish National hero Lion Na Bearnai ran a cracker on his reappearance only weakening after a mistake at the last to finish fifth.

Foley said, “We weren’t expecting it as we thought he’d need the run but I’ve been preaching to the owner for a while now that Paul Townend is the man for this horse.

“He has to come with a run and time it to the exact beat. Nobody can do it better than Paul, and he produced him just right today.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson