Cadmium (far side) jumps the last upsides runner-up Doctor Phoenix© Photo Healy Racing
Paul Townend and Rachael Blackmore have been matching winner-for-winner at the head of the Jockeys' Championship in recent weeks and former Champion Townend leveled the score for the day at Naas today when landing the Grade 3 WhatOddsPaddy? Chase on Cheltenham-bound Cadmium
Blackmore won the hour-earlier handicap chase with Poker Party before Townend steered Cadmium to a three lengths win over Doctor Phoenix
Doctor Phoenix went in pursuit of Cadmium from the second last fence and while he briefly challenged Cadmium at the last, Townend had held enough in reserve to push Cadmium clear on the run-in for a cosy success.
Afterwards winning trainer Willie Mullins stated “he’ll probably go for the Grand Annual at Cheltenham. It probably won’t help his mark with the weights still to come out but it’s a nice race to win here today.”
Townend, who now leads Balckmore 88-82 in the Jockeys' Championship, added “we were at the start a long time and he was alive down there.
“The owners (Supreme Horse Racing Club) are a big enthusiastic syndicate and the likes of him keep them going.”
Paddy Power later cut Cadmium to 14/1 for the Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham.
Quotes from Alan Magee
