Paul Townend is hoping for a winner at Navan
Published:
My first ride of a relatively quiet weekend is for Willie Mullins in a Maiden Hurdle (1.45) at Navan.
Fenta Des Obeaux has had a couple of rides for us already. She’s run ok and run into come decent sorts including Chosen Mate and Carlos Biraghi.
Chosen Mate franked the form when winning a Novice Hurdle in Naas last weekend so I don’t think she will have to improve too much more from what she’s done to be competitive here.
There are a good few unknowns coming off the flat here and Our Legend brings a good level of form here with Coeur Sublime. It’s by no means an easy task but we have a chance.
Willie has two runners here. Formentera was running a nice race albeit after being very free at Fairyhouse the last day before she fell at the last. If she has learned from that then I think she is opened to improvement as well.
I ride Great White Shark for Mullins again (2.20). She was very disappointing on her first run where she ran behind Caravation. She takes her on again here.
She’s a lot to find with her on that but she settled and jumped much better on her second run so she is learning but she has a lot of ground to make up with on Dempsey’s mare.
One down the bottom, Ocean Voyage, receives a lot of weight from us and she will take a bit of beating as well.
My final ride is Jetz (3.25) for Jessica Harrington; a good spare ride to pick up. It’s a small field. He’s been running over further of late.
He has a few pounds to find with Duca De Thaix on ratings but he did beat him over this trip in November. I think he has every chance and is possibly my best ride over the weekend.
Cheltenham is getting close now; we’ve had a few mishaps earlier this week with Cilaos Emery. That was a big blow to the team.
On a more personal note, Penhill who has been very good to me at Cheltenham, was ruled out which is hugely disappointing for me.
We don’t have a massive team going this year but hopefully I can pick up some nice rides and have a winner over there. Fingers crossed!
Paul
