Paul Townend looks ahead to his rides at Gowran Park and Navan

I have two rides at Gowran Park on Saturday, beginning with Shar Whats Therush (3.05).

He finished second in his last two runs and I was second on him at Limerick over the Christmas period.

I actually beat him on Brosna George over three miles at Fairyhouse the last day. He would have got a lot closer but he got hampered at the second last.

It’s a lovely light racing weight and he deserves his day. He has been competitive recently and off the weight he has I think he can get involved. He is getting a lot of weight off a lot of fancied horses.

I don’t think the shorter trip will be an issue. It was two miles five when I rode him at Limerick. I wouldn’t worry about it.

I ride Duc Des Genievres (3.40) for Willie Mullins in the beginner’s chase. He has had two solid runs over fences so far this year.

He was second in Naas and then ran into Cilaos Emery in Cork. That rode like a very strong beginners chase. The form of that has worked out with the second horse just beaten at Punchestown and the horse behind us in fourth won at Thurles.

Duc Des Genievres had solid hurdles form last year and this looks a nice opportunity for him to get his head in front.

On Sunday I am at Navan where I ride Coquin Mans (2.20) for Willie. He is a horse who has not done a whole lot of racing. On ratings he would have a brilliant chance here. Although he has to give weight away he is the highest rated.

Anyone who has read any of my blogs will know the Charles Byrnes horse Off You Go is a horse I love and he will be hard to beat. Bachasson made a winning return over hurdles at Punchestown after an absence following a fall in the Gold Cup and he can only improve for that.

Coquin Mans was disappointing behind Presenting Percy in Gowran the last day but he hadn’t run for a long time. He’ll have to improve for that again. Possibly his best form is going the other way around but maybe that’s picking at things. He is the type to run a big race here but he will have to come on a lot.

Alohamora (4.30) is a filly of James Nash’s who hasn’t set the world on fire so far.  She won around this time last year in a small field in England. That’s her only win between Flat and jumps. She will have to improve a lot in everything she has shown to be involved. She is a big outsider.

I would be hoping Duc Des Genievres would be my best ride of the weekend.

Paul