Townend takes the Thyestes Chase on Nick Rockett at Gowran Park and records a double

The race that stops a county drew a huge crowd to the picturesque Gowran Park on Thursday.

On a chilly blustery afternoon Nick Rockett landed the day's featured Goffs Thyestes Chase for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins. 

The Mullins/Townend combination went on to complete a quick double with Quai De Bourbon toughing it out in the beginners chase. 

It was a particularly good day for Buttevant jockey Shane Fitzgerald. 

He landed the Grade Two John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle on Rocky's Diamond and booked his ticket to Cheltenham in the process. 

His trainer Declan Queally enjoyed a red letter day,he also landed the concluding bumper on the impressive newcomer Carrigmoorna Beech. Queally has already won two bumpers this season with her half-sister Carrigmoornaspruce.

The days featured Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase saw solid support for the 9/2 joint-favourite Nick Rockett. 

He had one win over fences tafter a slightly disappointing season as a novice. 

He'd shown real potential though when fourth at Christmas in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown. 

He confirmed the promise of that run much to the delight of the huge crowd at Gowran Park. 

Townend always had Nick Rockett handy in the early stages. He briefly lost his place beyond halfway. 

But he was quickly back on the premises entering the final mile.

The Lisgoold jockey steered a wide path on the outside as they swung for home. 

He finished to real effect up the stands' rail and had two and a quarter lengths to spare over the runner-up Velvet Elvis at the line. 

The winner looks tailor made for Aintree in April.

Buttevant jockey Shane Fitzgerald enjoyed a memorable if slightly extraordinary victory on Commander Of Fleet in the 2022 Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

This afternoon at Gowran Park he landed the Grade 2 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle on Rocky's Diamond for Declan Queally.

They looked like being swallowed up two out. But despite edging right on the run to the last Rocky's Diamond found plenty on the run-in to win by a length and a quarter at 5/1. 

Thedevilscoachman stayed on late to claim second. Franciscan Rock (12/1) finished third for his Cork owner Michael O'Flynn.

Declan Queally enjoyed the biggest victory of his training career.

He was one of two Declan Queally horses who landed a major across the card touch at Limerick and Ballinrobe in April. 

He's clearly a huge improver having won in Gowran last November off 123. 

He was rated 145 going into today's race. He earned his ticket to the Cheltenham Festival and a tilt at the Stayers Hurdle in March. 

Paddy Power reacted by trimming Rocky's Diamond into 16/1 for the Stayers Hurdle having been as big as 50/1.

Teahupoo is a short priced favourite for that race, but they say you should never be afraid of one horse.