Townend wins fitness battle & Champion Chase

Paul Townend completed his fitness-battle/William Hill Champion Chase double at Punchestown today as the Champion Jockey edged closer to a fourth career title when steering the Willie Mullins trained Chacun Pour Soi to a fifth top-level success.

Townend, who injured his left foot in a fall at Fairyhouse's Easter festival, today returned to action wearing sturdier riding-out boots on wider, synthetic stirrup 'irons', and steered foot-perfect Chacun Pour Soi to a five and a half lengths win over Allaho

The win moved Townend to 96 winners this season, five clear of Rachael Blackmore in the Championship and following the race the relieved, and slightly emotional jockey said “it's some thrill to ride a horse like this and jumping won the race for him.

“At the back of every fence I was able to get a breather, he was jumping so well.

“The only reason we don't wear these boots normally is for weight and I'd like to thank everyone and a lot of people did a lot of hard work to get me back.”

Winning trainer Mullins later commented “I think they were just on song today, both himself and Paul.

“They gave an exhibition of jumping and racing. He just had horses out of their comfort zone from very early on.”

Regarding Chacun Pour Soi's somewhat underwhelming third-placing in last month's Cheltenham's Champion Chase, Mullins added “Cheltenham was a disappointment and I felt it wasn't the Chacun Pour Soi that we know.

“I don't know why he did what he did at Cheltenham and maybe we just weren't positive enough on him. Anyhow he was disappointing but it's good to see that he's back to himself.”

Quotes from Gary Carson