Cork jockey Paul Townend lands brilliant treble

Appreciate It landed the featured Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles on Sunday afternoon. 

That victory completed a treble for Lisgoold jockey Paul Townend and Willie Mullins. 

It capped a great weekend for Cork jockeys. On Saturday at Navan, Rosscarberry jockey Brian Hayes registered a notable treble to continue a fruitful week for the West Cork pilot.

Appreciate It was the star attraction at Thurles this afternoon as he ran out an impressive winner of the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase. He replicated last year's victory in the race and completed a treble for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins. 

Punters snapped up early offers of 13/8 in the ring and he was well supported into Evens in the two-mile six-furlong feature. Townend was content to take a lead off Monbeg Park. Appreciate It was spring-heeled throughout, and eventually jumped to the front five from home.

He extended that advantage with a terrific jump at the third last that effectively put the race to bed. He readily stretched clear of his stable companion James du Berlais on the long run to the final fence in a a convincing 12-length victory. 

Townend was quick to acknowledge the contribution of this terrific servant to the yard.  "He is a joy to ride, it's push-button stuff and it is a great day to get back on him.” 

DOMINANT

Earlier Townend recorded a bloodless victory aboard Jade De Grugy in the Grade 2 Carey Glass Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase. She produced an exhibition of bold, accurate jumping to put herself firmly in the picture for the Mares Chase at Cheltenham in March. She went off at prohibitive odds of 1/7. 

Those brave enough to trade at the skinny fractions never had a moment of anxiety. Townend elected to make the running and the daughter of Doctor Dino stretched right away on the run to the final fence, before recording an 18-length victory over Tareze - who herself is no slouch. She has shortened into 12/1 with most firms, for that Mares Chase in March.

Albert Bartlett clues were gleaned when Espresso Milan justified favouritism with a smooth success in the WT O’Grady & EJ O’Grady Memorial Irish EBF Novice Hurdle. He was all the rage in the market and went off the 5/6 favourite. 

In contrast to his other two victories, Townend was ridden more patiently in the early stages. He came there travelling ominously well between horses at the second last. He was slick at the last and went on to record a four-length victory over Minella Emperor. 

This wasn't the strongest contest but he's shortened to 12/1 in places for the Albert Bartlett in March. He’ll need to improve again to dine at the top table but long term he looks like an embryonic chaser. Monkfish and Gerri Colombe win this in the past.