Paul Townend discusses his Friday rides at Leopardstown

I am starting with Melon (12.35) in the beginners’ chase. It’s a hot race with City Island in the field. Melon’s run behind Fakir D’oudairies on his first run looks good. Hopefully he can build on that but it won’t be an easy task.

I ride Chacun Pour Soi (1.10) in the Grade 1 chase. What he did last time in Punchestown was very, very impressive. It’s his first run of the season but hopefully that will be okay.

Heis one of the biggest talking horses of the season so it would be lovely to getit off to a good start.

Willieruns Great Field and A Plus Tard as well so it won’t be an easy assignment butI am hoping he can live up to what he showed last year.

I am not riding La Sorelita (2.20) in the handicap hurdle. She has to build on everything she has shown for us, despite a promising run the last day. She has been disappointing so she is probably up against it.

I will be riding Cabaret Queen (2.55) in the big handicap chase. She was obviously very impressive in Limerick but disappointed in Newbury.

Forwhatever reason she was never going. If she hadn’t gone to Newbury she would bewell fancied for this race. 

I amgiving her the benefit of the doubt that she just had an off day. Hopefully shecan reproduce the form she showed in Limerick, but she got a big hike for thatand you generally don’t win two big handicaps in the same season.

Paul