Paul Townend’s thrilling weekend: my take on his Ascot and Thurles rides
I followed it Paul TownendHe has been following his career closely for years, and I can tell you: this weekend looks particularly promising for the Irish maestro. With quality rides at both Ascot and Thurles, I’m genuinely excited about what lies ahead. Having looked at his recent form and analyzed his weekend horses, I can confidently say that these two horses deserve serious attention from punters like you.
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Why Paul Townend’s jockey skills will shine this weekend
Like one Paul Townend jockey Fan, I can tell you that his tactical insight is second to none. What sets him apart is not only his riding skills, but also his partnership with Willie Mullins and his talent for getting horses to peak at just the right time. This weekend perfectly demonstrates why he has become one of the most sought-after riders in National Hunt racing.
I looked Paul Townend developed from a promising young rider to the finished product, and his recent win in Cork on January 3 with The Reverend was a masterclass in race riding. Winning by 4¾ lengths as the 4/11 favorite may not sound spectacular on paper, but the way he positioned the horse in second place before making his winning move showed the tactical brilliance that makes him so effective.
Analyzing Paul Townend’s booked rides for maximum value
Watching Paul Townend’s booked rides This weekend two horses really caught my eye. First up is Il Etait Temps in the BETMGM Clarence House Chase at Ascot – a grade one that could be a stepping stone to Cheltenham glory. This horse comes into the race after an impressive win at Tingle Creek at Sandown, and I have a feeling P Townend will have him on site for this assignment.
The Clarence House Chase represents exactly the kind of big racing opportunities in which Townend thrives. I’ve seen him ride in these pressure situations before, and he has the ability to keep horses relaxed while positioning them perfectly for their challenge. Il Etait Temps comes in as a strong favourite, and with Townend’s vast racing experience I can see why the bookmakers aren’t taking any chances.
“I’m really looking forward to driving It’s about time in Ascot on Saturday at Clarence House (3.30pm). His resume is quite impressive, if not for the gaps where he was a bit forgotten. The form lines are all connected to those of Gaelic Warrior and Jonbon, and if you go back to his hurdle form you could say he really hasn’t gotten the credit he deserves.
His season so far started at Clonmel, which was a bit of a penalty I think, but it was a first run to get him back on track. He was expected to win the Tingle Creek at Sandown and we thought he would win, but the manner in which he won was still a bit of a surprise. He beat the best of what’s on the market that day and if he can reproduce that I’ll have a good run at Ascot.
This kid took some time to put everything together and become a little more manageable. Willie [Mullins] did not rush him and he gained a lot of experience in obstacle racing, even as a youngster. He was taken very well and treated impressively. He’s also often been a thorn in his side, and at least now I’m on his back and can’t see him leaving. He is a smart horse and I feel like he is learning every step of the way.”
Paul Townend rides that caught my attention
Paul Townend drives with such confidence that you can see a winner from the paddock, and his horse in Thurles on Appreciate. There is another one that interests me. This horse is the defending champion of the featured pursuit, which tells you all about his abilities on the track. What I like about this booking is that it shows the confidence Willie Mullins has in both horse and jockey. You don’t trust your stable jockey to a defending champion unless you expect him to defend successfully.
The favorable soil conditions at Thurles could also play into their hands. I have noticed over the years that Townend adapts his riding style brilliantly to different terrain conditions, and that giving ground often brings out the best in Mullins-trained horses. The combination of the track conditions, defending champion status and Townend’s tactical knowledge makes this a very attractive proposition.
My personal take on this weekend’s action
What excites me most about these rides is the variety they offer. At Ascot we have the prestige of a Grade One chase with Il Etait Temps, while at Thurles we have the satisfaction of watching a defending champion attempt to repeat last year’s success. Both races showcase different aspects of Townend’s skills: the big-race temperament required at Ascot and the tactical awareness required to successfully defend a title.
I’m impressed with the way Townend 2026 has started. That victory in Cork with The Reverend was not just about the winning margin, but about the way he rode the race. Position second, wait for the right moment and then deliver when it matters. That is the mark of a jockey at the top.
The fact that both horses enter their respective races as favorites tells you that the market respects what Townend brings to these partnerships. I’ve learned over the years that when the betting public is so strongly behind a Townend ride, there’s usually substance behind the confidence.
Three rides in Thurles on Sunday
I will kick off in the Novice Hurdle (13:10) on Sunday Milan Expresswho was a pleasant surprise to us when he won at Punchestown. He’s a horse that came out of Fergal O’Brien’s stable with a bit of form, but we weren’t sure what we had. I thought he got a lot of praise on his debut for us on what might have been a short journey.
I think the step up in trip will give him a lot of improvement, in a race where, if we’re honest, it won’t be the strongest run of the whole year. I’m looking forward to giving him another try on the ground in Thurles, which will be fun and suits him. He will be able to handle that just fine and the step up will help. Gordon Elliott’s horses pose the biggest dangers, and I imagine Sept Etoiles could be the rival to watch most in jockey bookings. I just hope mine shows me the same improvement I thought he had over the ability he showed in that first run this season.
Jade De Grugy is very interesting in the Mares Novice Chase (14:15), and you would say that if this were an obstacle race she would be even shorter than here. However, she is good at jumping a fence and may have just encountered some decent opposition. She just got past The Big Westerner on tough ground in Limerick over Christmas, but we know how good The Big Westerner is – her stable certainly likes her. I would be very disappointed if my horse was beaten here and she was the strongest of my three rides on Sunday.
I went for it Appreciate it in the Grade 2 Chase (15:20), despite losing weight everywhere. His form from his last run in Thurles behind Affordable Fury is looking pretty good now, considering we gave him £10 and what it did at Christmas. Appreciate it. It’s 12 now, but he’s so consistent. He has been a very good horse for us. He won this race last year – when I wasn’t running him – so hopefully I can repeat that. Maybe my heart has controlled my head a bit, but it’s a strong ride and a lot of circumstances are in its favor. In the opposition, James Du Berlais is not a laggard and Heren De Mee may have had a tough race on Tramore on New Year’s Day and may be a better jumper.
Bambino Fever shows Cheltenham references
It’s great that Fairyhouse were able to reschedule mid-week and it meant I got the chance to work together Baby fever as she made up for a narrow defeat on her hurdles debut. She was beaten in Naas that day by Oldschool Outlaw, but they got away well and she made up for it on Wednesday. She improved from running as we thought, made the run itself, accelerated smartly and jumped brilliantly. She came out well and showed that she has what it takes to tackle the big races of this season.
Why these rides seem good to me
Take a look at this weekend’s action and I’m confident you’ll understand what I mean about Townend’s quality. Both Il Etait Temps and Appreciate It represent the kind of horses that suit his riding style perfectly: talented animals that need a thoughtful jockey to get the best out of them.
Want to hear more about my thoughts on weekend racing? I enjoy talking to my readers and am always looking for ways to improve my analyses. Drop me a line if you have your own thoughts on these races. I’d like to hear what other race fans think about Townend’s chances this weekend.
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