Redemption Day and Jody Townend move into contention© Photo Healy Racing
Jody Townend partnered her first Grade 1 winner in Redemption Day in the champion bumper at the Punchestown Festival.
The 9/2 shot was swinging away for her as they came wide into the straight. He soon took up the mantle from The Yellow Clay with over two furlongs to negotiate.
The front two began to separate themselves from the pack and it was Redemption Day, down the centre of the track, who powered away from The Yellow Clay inside the final furlong to run away with it by three and three-quarter lengths.
Runner-up The Yellow Clay took second at 16/1 with William Munny a further seven lengths adrift in third at 6/1.
Townend, the champion lady amateur rider for the fourth year in a row, said: "Once he settles, he has some engine. He has the turn of foot of a Flat horse. With the turn of foot he has, once he settled I actually didn't mind what they did.
"He went so asleep again on me again, you'd wonder what he is going to do and how much he is going to find. He did the same in Fairyhouse, he just picks up and I was still there too soon again today. Thankfully, it paid off.
"I just love the horse, I was second on him two years ago to Facile Vega here (in this race).
"I'm delighted for the owner, Tim O'Driscoll, as he gave him plenty of time when got the injury and stuff and it has paid off."
On riding her first Grade 1 winner, she added: "I can't believe it to be honest, it is unreal!"
Willie Mullins said: “That’s fantastic for Jody, her first Grade 1. She’s always does her own thing in her races and it works! We often discuss what’s going to happen but when the tape goes up, Jody just does what Jody wants to do.
“She’s had some success, so we just have to take our hats off to her.
“This horse missed a year and I thought he could be Champion Bumper material. I thought that I’d rather do that than go hurdling. He can go hurdling next season.
“He followed home Facile Vega here two years ago and that sort of form stands up every day of the week. It paid off.
“He could run on the Flat over a mile and a half or a mile and six.”
This was also a poignant first Grade 1 success for owner Tim O'Driscoll after the recent passing of his mother.
Mullins doubled up on the card with Redemption Day as he also took the Grade 1 novice hurdle with Dancing City
Paddy Power slashed Redemption Day from 40/1 to 10/1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and gave him a first show of 12/1 for the Gallaghers.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
