Reflecting on Paul Townend’s upcoming rides, here are my thoughts on his chances with the horses he’s talked about over on the Betway blog: and don’t forget to check out the latest from the best horse racing tipsters for today too.
Kopek Des Bordes vs Lulamba in the Arkle:
Paul’s right to highlight how Lulamba’s experience will be an advantage. Despite some errors in his recent Newbury run, Lulamba showed great resilience, and that experience certainly counts for a lot. Kopek Des Bordes may have fewer runs over fences, but I believe Paul’s confidence in the horse’s schooling progress will make a significant difference. The Arkle sets up as a fascinating duel, and with Paul’s riding skill and the horse’s potential, he has a strong shot if they get a clear run.
Madness d’Elle (Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park):
Paul’s optimism for Madness d’Elle to improve on his second place at Punchestown makes sense. The jump from that debut run should bring better performance, especially given the horse’s potential and experience advantage over some rivals like Arouet, who’s new to hurdles. Paul’s experience and tactical nous could help secure a win here.
Paul on MADNESS D’ELLE’s chances
I head to Gowran Park on Saturday for four good rides, starting with MADNESS D’ELLE (12:45) in the maiden hurdle. We were very happy with how he ran on his first start for us when finishing second to a nice horse of Donnacha O’Brien’s at Punchestown last month, and I’d say he’ll improve plenty with that run under his belt. It’s been well documented all year that a good few of our horses have needed their first run, and the way he shaped the last day suggests we should see an even better version of Madness d’Elle here. Arouet, from Paddy Twomey’s yard, is rated 101 on the Flat, so he’ll be an interesting recruit to hurdling, but we have the benefit of experience over obstacles already, so I’d be hopeful we can go one better this time.
Storm Heart (Red Mills Trial Hurdle):
With Storm Heart, those previous niggles have been setbacks, but Paul’s faith in the horse’s speed and recent strong run at Limerick reveals a readiness to take on a competitive field. The presence of Kawaboomga, with solid form lines, does make this a tough race, but if Paul can get Storm Heart to settle and utilise his speed tactically, they’re right in the mix.
Paul on STORM HEART’s chances
“STORM HEART 6/4 (13:20) runs in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle, the first graded race on the card. He’s a horse I rode plenty in his juvenile days, and I always thought he’d be an improver, but he’s just had a few niggling issues that mean we haven’t seen him on the track as much as we’d have liked. He did win nicely the last day at Limerick on heavy ground over two and a half miles, and I’m not concerned about the step back in trip here, as he’s always shown plenty of speed. This looks a good race that should throw up plenty of winners, and Kawaboomga could be the most interesting runner considering how some of his form has worked out. He wasn’t beaten far by Kopek Des Bordes in a maiden hurdle on debut, and then came out next time and beat both William Munny and Koktail Divin – serious form in the context of any race. That said, he’s been off the track a long time now, so taking on race-fit rivals after 13 months away might be a big ask, but it will be interesting to see how he gets on.”
Impaire Et Passé (15:40 Race):
This one stands out. Paul has had great success with Impaire Et Passe in the past, and the horse looks ready to bounce back after the Punchestown fall. The conditions and trip seem ideal for a winning return. Although the weight conditions aren’t perfect, Paul’s confidence that Impaire Et Passe can still perform well shows his trust in the horse’s ability and fitness.
Paul on IMPAIRE ET PASSE‘s chances
“We then have IMPAIRE ET PASSE 4/5 (15:40) later on the card. He’s a very talented individual who’s been very good to me over the years. Unfortunately, we haven’t managed to get him out since he was brought down at the Punchestown Festival, but it’ll be great to see him back on track this weekend, and this looks the ideal opportunity for him. He seems in good order at home, and this is a nice trip and a nice track to start him off at. Although he doesn’t quite come out best at the weights, I think he’s straight enough to do himself justice and start his season with a win.”
King Alexander (16:15 Race):
Finally, King Alexander has shown adaptability over different ground conditions, which is a strong positive. Paul’s expectation of a “third time lucky” finish over fences seems realistic given the horse’s solid chase form. The main threat is Champagne Jury, but Paul’s experience with the horse’s versatility on the testing ground should help in managing this challenge effectively.
Paul on KING ALEXANDER’s chances
“My final ride on Saturday is KING ALEXANDER (16:15), and he looks very solid here with that chasing experience under his belt. While most of his better hurdle form came on good ground, his recent runs on testing ground have shown he’s extremely versatile regarding conditions, and that will no doubt stand him in good stead this weekend. Champagne Jury could be the biggest danger after getting off the mark over hurdles last time. It’s interesting they are keen to send him chasing so soon, but he’s shown a decent level of ability and has proved he handles testing ground, so he’s entitled to plenty of respect. That said, I’d be very disappointed if King Alexander can’t make it third-time lucky over fences here.”
Summary:
Paul Townend’s insights and confidence in these rides are based on a good mix of form, experience, and recent performance. His ability to read each horse’s strengths and the race dynamics gives him a solid chance across these rides. If the preparation stays smooth and the horses perform to their potential, Paul can expect some strong results in the coming races.
Don’t forget to check out Betways Cheltneham Festival betting page for more tips and nifo on the horses there this year.
This analysis offers a clear look into Paul Townend’s prospects based on his own assessments of his mounts. With skilful riding and a bit of luck, there’s plenty to look forward to.