Townend extends lead in title race Championship leader Paul Townend moved onto the 55 winner mark for the season as Rain In Spain landed the Ballagh Mares Handicap Hurdle in decisive fashion. Trainer Charles O’Brien is best known in Flat circles but the daughter of Jeremy has done him proud this year and was recording her third hurdle win of the current campaign. The 6/1 co favourite soon asserted after striking struck the front before the final flight, and stayed on well on the run-in to score by a comfortable three and a half lengths. Isabel’s Gold took the runner-up spot, while Lockeen Girl deserves a special mention in third. She gave David Mullins a hard time when bolting on the way to the start, and the eager eight-year-old forced the pace until headed by the winner approaching the last. Townend is currently five clear of Rachael Blackmore at the head of the jump jockeys title race.
