Townend shows Star quality on Letter

Paul Townend showed his champion qualities when getting Letterlee Star up in the final strides to take the three-mile Comeragh Handicap Hurdle.

The 8/1 chance was in the air together with both Dr Proctor and Whatever Jacksays (9/1) over the final two hurdles, although the latter was beginning to toil when a mistake at the final flight ended his challenge.

Dr Proctor (7/1) held a marginal advantage on the run-in but Townend galvanised his mount to get back up on the line to score by a head.

The 9/2 favourite Caheronaun was never a threat in the straight but did keep on well in the closing stages to get up for third a further three and a quarter lengths adrift.