Ireland’s champion jump jockey secured a narrow victory on Jasmin Du Vaux in the Punchestown Festival feature despite a mishap after the final flight
Paul Townend produced a remarkable ‘feat of horsemanship’ to win a Grade 1 for boss Willie Mullins without his irons. Ireland’s champion jump jockey was reunited with Jasmin De Vaux in Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle on day two of the Punchestown Festival.
The pair had been successful at the Cheltenham Festival in March when Townend steered the six-year-old to a two and a half length triumph in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. Jasmin De Vaux was sent off the 13.-8 favourite to beat his seven rivals in the 3m race and he was poised to deliver his challenge as the leaders approached the final flight.
He was closing on Honesty Policy, who was narrowly in front, when he clipped the obstacle and landed awkwardly. Townend nearly came off the side and when he had managed to regain his balance his feet were out of the stirrups.
Nevertheless he made light of the situation to survive the scare and give Jasmin Du Vaux a vigorous ride to pass his rival and score by half a length.
Donn McLean, analysing the finish for RacingTV, said: “He seemed to jump the last pretty well, landing a bit steeply with the hurdle swinging back at him.
“Then he just kind of stumbled a bit on landing. Paul Townend became unbalanced, got his balance back quickly, lost his iron, then the other iron out, then got into the drive position.
“What a feat of horsemanship to be able to help the horse in that situation and get him going forward. The attitude Jasmin Du Vaux has shown as well to get up and get the better of a Grade 1 winner on his inside.”
Townend said: “It was all in at the last and he got a bit high and I got unbalanced but if the engine is in there, we can iron out my mistakes.
“I had to win it a couple of times and then when momentum went at the last he was still able to pick up and go again. He’s come a long way from the start of the season but he can still improve.”
Mullins said: “He just does it when he has to. He’s not the world’s best jumper. Paul asked him for a big one at the last, he gave it to him but he nearly tipped him out of the saddle. It was great jockeyship by Paul to stay in the saddle, with I think one iron probably.
“It’s a fantastic achievement to get that done, get the job done. He did what needed to be done. He’s got a huge engine, maybe he’ll jump fences better – I don’t know.
“If you can just get him near the winning post, get him over his hurdles without losing too much ground, he’s able to make it up on the flat.”