John Kiely's King Rama, ante-post favourite for the race, had to miss the Guinness Galway Hurdle owing to an injury picked up at Leopardstown last week, but the Dungarvan Co. Waterford handler found an able substitute in the shape of Indian Pace who landed a gamble under Paul Townend.
Dermot Weld and Pat Martin have trained this chestnut in the past but he has really blossomed for Kiely and here he showed tremendous courage to beat Eagle's Pass (third in the race last year) by a length.
Townend, son of Tim, associated with Jim Dreaper in his riding days and nephew of Bob who rode for Mick O'Toole, has a jockey's pedigree. His grandfathers Jerry Townend and Kevin Healy, who also trained, were jockeys too. He is also of course a first cousin to Davy Condon.
The 17-year-old, who only rode his first winner over hurdles early this month at Bellewstown, said, "It is unbelievable. I got a lovely run through the race. He was tough all the way to the line."
John Kiely meanwhile commented, "After the Pierce Hurdle we always had this in mind. We thought this race would suit him provided the ground wasn't too quick. We gave him a couple of races on the flat in preparation and the blinkers kept him going. Paul gave him a grand ride. He's an up and coming young rider and his five pound claim made the difference. Indian Pace will probably go chasing towards the end of the year."
The son of Indian Ridge, bred by Moyglare Stud Farm, was reappearing quickly after finishing fifth in the GPT on Monday night.
