Paul Townend takes on extra rides in an effort to save jockey crown from Jack Kennedy
Paul Townend has won the last five titles in a row.
You wouldn’t need to use many fingers to count the number of outside rides Paul Townend has had this season, so you know that things must be getting serious when he is looking beyond his boss, Willie Mullins.
Townend and Mullins are a lethal combination – they head to Ayr today for the Scottish Grand National meeting trying to sow up the British trainers’ crown for the Closutton maestro – but the Cork rider has another battle on his hands domestically.
The 33-year-old has set the world alight in recent months with Cheltenham Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup success, as well as a first Aintree Grand National triumph, but there’s another important box to tick on the home front as he bids to hold on to his Irish champion jumps jockey crown.
Aside from a ding-dong battle with Rachael Blackmore in 2020/’21, it has generally been plain sailing for Townend as he accumulated the last five titles in a row – adding to the one he picked up in 2010/’11.
That has been far from the case this time around, however, with a fully-fit Jack Kennedy setting a scorching pace from the flag fall this season – and there have been as many as 30 winners between them at different stages.
Townend (114) has gradually chipped away at that lead and the pair are only separated by a handful of winners going into the season-ending Punchestown Festival (April 30 to May 4) .
Given the strength of Mullins’ Punchestown squad, the next 10 days will tell a lot about Kennedy’s bid to be champion jockey for the first time, and Townend takes outside mounts on Pat Coyne (John Queally) and Brucejack (Pat Fahy) at Tramore tomorrow.
Interestingly, the ride aboard Pat Coyne in the handicap hurdle (3.50) comes in a contest where Mullins is actually represented by the Paul Byrne-owned Onlyamatteroftime – Brian Hayes is on the plate instead – while Hen See carries big hopes for Mullins/Townend in the closing chase (5.20).
Kennedy has five rides at the Waterford track compared to Townend’s trio and this duel will light up the closing days of a stunning season for both.
