Pravalaguna (Paul Townend) beating Not Many Left© Photo Healy Racing
Paul Townend put the nightmare of yesterday’s 21-day suspension for dangerous riding on Al Boum Photo behind him when giving a typically cool display on Pravalaguna in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle at Punchestown.
Townend produced the Willie Mullins-trained mare between horses to lead before the final flright, and she drew right away on the run-in to score by eight lengths. Not Many Left took the runner-up spot, with Good Thyne Tara a further length away in third.
Townend received a very warm reception on his return from those packed around the winners' enclosure, and he said afterwards, "That's behind us now.”
"She did it very well. She travelled great and jumped super. It's nice to get one on the board.
“I was going that well I was able to sit and wait for it (the split) to come. I couldn't believe how well I travelled into the race to be honest.”
Mullins said, “It shows you the mettle of the man as Paul was under a lot of pressure going out there and he was very cool the whole way. I thought coming to the last bend would he get through or would he go around and he was super cool and knew he had enough horse to get through when any sort of gap opened.
“I’m delighted to see what happened yesterday didn’t shake his confidence. He’s a popular guy and that showed in the reception he got here today.
“He came into the yard this morning and got slagged like every jockey would, and then as it turned out Joe Tizzard was the first visitor we had this morning. The two of them met in the barn and had a chat. It was unfortunate what happened yesterday but nobody died and nobody is injured.
“She is a good mare and has been a bit unlucky but that was a nice race to win with her.”
(GC & AM)
