Paul Townend talks Boxing Day, Laurina and Leopardstown
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I have three rides on the first day of the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown starting with Fils Spirituel (12.10).
He came to us with a good reputation but was hugely disappointing on his first run in Punchestown.
He will have to build on that significantly to win here, but we don’t think that was his true running and we feel there is a lot more to come.
Asalways it is a very competitive maiden. On St Stephen’s Day at Leopardstownthere is not going to be an easy race, but we do feel he has more to offer ifhe can put a very poor first run behind him.
It was a tough decision to side with Mt Leinster (12.40) over Concertista who was second in the Mares’ Novice at Cheltenham last season. I hope I am right to go with Mt Leinster.
Heran a nice first run for us which should be a good enough level of form tofeature very highly here.
J PMcManus’s Entoucas looks the main danger to Willie’s two after a couple of goodruns in defeat in maidens. He was thrown in the deep end last season and hadgood form with Klassical Dream, which is standout form.
Ihope I am on the right one, although I am not sure I am. Concertista was wellturned over when long odds-on the last day so I’ve gone with Mt Leinster.
Williewasn’t keen on me taking another ride before Laurina runs so Danny Mullinsrides Echoes In Rain in the juvenile hurdle and I don’t ride either of our twoin the handicap hurdle.
Laurina (2.20) is a very important horse but I hope the first couple can win so we come into this with a bit of confidence. Hopefully she can win as well and it will look like the right decision.
I amreally looking forward to her. I couldn’t have been anymore impressed atGowran. This is going to be a real test though. I think there is going to be alot of pace in the race and there will be no hiding place.
It’sa select field but a very good field. We lack experience over fences comparedto the others, bar our own Royal Rendezvous. It will let us know where she is.
Fakir d’oudairies looks very special. We are meeting him at level weights whereas in a month’s time we’ll be getting weight off him.
It’s going to be tough but she is a mare I love. The ground is going to be good which shouldn’t inconvenience her.
I’dbe disappointed if I am not on the right one here! Royal Rendezvous is good andhas little miles on the clock for us but has kept winning.
Hopefully we do a get a couple of winners and Faugheen (2.40) can win at Limerick too.
I couldhave gone down but I thought with my back-up rides Leopardstown was the bestplace to go. I give him a great chance. I think he will give them all somethingto think about.
HappyChristmas
Paul
