sport news DOMINIC KING: Terrific Paul Townend is a muddy marvel! Willie Mullins' stable ... trends now
Paul Townend shivered as the temperature dropped and his face was splattered with mud but he could have stayed where he was stood forever.
He was on the winner’s podium, holding court after the flashy grey mare Lossiemouth had engaged the afterburners to complete a memorable opening day for him and trainer Willie Mullins, hers the third leg of a treble that featured Gaelic Warrior’s majesty and State Man’s authority.
‘It doesn’t get much better than this,’ said Townend, Mullins’s stable jockey, and who could argue? Some riders can only dream of Grade One victories, here the 33-year-old collected three within two hours – including the Unibet Champion Hurdle – and made it look like he was shelling peas.
‘But it isn’t easy getting here,’ he pointed out. ‘It really isn’t. The pressure is privilege, there’s no doubt about it. Anybody would want it. But it’s pressure at the same time and when you win, it’s relief as much as ecstasy when it goes right.’
How it went right. Gaelic Warrior ran away from his rivals in the Arkle Chase in a manner that should be watched on repeat to comprehend the brilliance; Lossiemouth, in the same colours of Rich and Susannah Ricci, dismantled the field in the Mares Hurdle to show she is the best female in training.
Paul Townend picked up three victories within two hours on the opening day at Cheltenham (left with trainer Willie Mullins)
He completed the treble with Lossiemouth after winning the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle
Trainer Mullins has likened Townend to Manchester United legend Paul Scholes because 'he turns up, shows his class, does what is required, and moves onto the next assignment'
But what about State Man? Here was the conundrum. Nobody can doubt this chestnut talent and his CV is exemplary: this was his ninth Grade One win, a testament to his consistency and durability and he had had too much speed for Gordon Elliott’s Irish Point, who
