Looking at Paul Townend’s book of rides today, I reckon he’s got some cracking chances across what looks like a quality card. The Irish champion jockey has picked up some tasty mounts, and I’m quite optimistic about his prospects.
Doctor Steinberg in the 2m6f Novice Hurdle (13:15) at 17/10 looks like the banker of the day for me. Townend’s assessment that this horse has “stepped forward with every race” really catches my attention. The form with Frankie John and Thedeviluno looks solid, and the fact that he’s versatile ground-wise gives him a real edge today. I think this one’s got a great chance of getting the day off to a winning start.
Paul Townend On Doctor Steinbergs chances today
“I kick Saturday off in the 2m6f Novice Hurdle (13:15) on Doctor Steinberg 17/10 , who has stepped forward with every race. He went back to Galway after defeat there in a bumper and beat Frankie John in a maiden hurdle impressively, and then took another step forward and beat Thedeviluno in Navan on testing ground. So he seems versatile ground-wise and also stays really well. The Frankie John form ties in with Jalon d’Oudairies in this race. They were nip and tuck in Leopardstown at Christmas time, but on much better ground. Mine is a horse that’s just going the right way and improving with every run, and his form seems to be stacking up nicely. Hopefully he can get the weekend off to the best possible start.”
The Juvenile Hurdle (13:50) with Selma De Vary at 9/1 is much tougher. Townend’s being honest about taking on Narciso Has and Mange Tout in a Grade 1, but that French hurdle experience could be the key. At 9/1, she’s worth a small each-way punt – sometimes these unknowns can spring surprises in big races, only one or two horse racing tipsters are advising this one too.
Paul Townend On Selma De Vary
“It’s going to be tough to land this race in her first run in Ireland, and in a Grade 1. She’s up against two potential stars in Narciso Has and Mange Tout. Mine does have the benefit of some good hurdle experience in France, and she was very impressive winning last time. She wears a hood as she has been quite keen, but since we got her she hasn’t been showing those tendencies as much. She seems to be growing up.”
Kargese in the Irish Arkle (14:55) at 7/4 faces a real test against Romeo Coolio. I like Townend’s realistic approach here – he knows it won’t be easy, but the mare jumped really well at Leopardstown, and the form with Lovely Hurling gives her a fighting chance. This could be closer than the market suggests.
Paul Townend On Kargese
“The Irish Arkle (14:55) is a three-runner race and at the very least is a quality match between Romeo Coolio and my ride, Kargese 7/4 . Look, it’s not going to be easy. We have to be realistic in taking on Romeo Coolio, who is so impressive. In fact, it seemed he was unfairly crabbed for his win at Christmas time, but he still won. The slower ground here won’t inconvenience either of them over this trip. Kargese obviously stepped up from her first run of the season to win at Leopardstown at Christmas, and she jumped really well in that race. We were left a little isolated in front after one of the key contenders James’s Gate fell, but he was the only one that was kind of coming with us. Interestingly, we beat Lovely Hurling by an almost identical distance as Kopek Des Bordes did, so I don’t think it’s a completely one-sided affair. I think she’ll give a good account of herself. Romeo Coolio is more experienced than us and he’s a Grade 1 winner around the course, though.”
The big one is Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup (15:30) at 15/8. What a race this is! Townend calls it “unbelievable”, and he’s not wrong. His “old champion” has the class and experience, but this field is absolutely stacked. Affordale Fury deserves respect after Christmas, and you can’t ignore last year’s winner Inothewayurthinkin if Cromwell’s horses are hitting form.
Paul Townend On Galopin Des Champs
My last ride on Saturday is certainly one worth waiting for, as I partner Galopin Des Champs 15/8 in the Irish Gold Cup (15:30). For any racing fan looking in, this is an unbelievable race. It’s brilliant to be part of it and riding my old champion in it as well.
What a race, the depth of it is unbelievable, to the extent where you’ve even got the Brown Advisory winner from last year, Lecky Watson, almost unspoken about in the rest of the field. Stellar Story (who was second that day) is bang there too. I don’t think Affordale Fury is probably getting the credit he deserves for winning the Savills at Christmas, either, although I’d be hoping we can improve past him with the benefit of the run under our belts. He went a good, honest gallop, stayed on and has seen off ours and I Am Maximus, so he deserves a bit more respect than he’s getting. Fact To File didn’t really show his best in the King George. Gaelic Warrior had a harder race in the King George and he’s going to be a worthy contender. We should speak about the Gold Cup winner from last year – showing even more depth in the race – Inothewayurthinkin. He never got in the race in in the John Durkan or in the Savills, but it was obvious Gavin Cromwell’s horses weren’t flying at Christmas time and they’ve hit form now, so he has to come into consideration.
Overall, I think Townend could have a couple of winners today. Doctor Steinberg looks the most likely, and don’t be surprised if Galopin Des Champs rolls back the years in that Gold Cup. It’s going to be a cracking day’s racing, and with a jockey of Townend’s calibre in the saddle, punters should definitely take note of his chances.
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