Energumene and Paul Townend on the way to an easy win© Photo Healy Racing
Clear championship leader Paul Townend rode his 100th winner of the season as Energumene justified prohibitive odds with a facile victory in the MansionBet Get Paid As A Winner If 2nd In The Supreme Novices’ At Cheltenham Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park.
The Tony Bloom-owned gelding had already won a point-to-point and a bumper and was sent off the 1/4 favourite here to make a successful start over hurdles.
Townend has elected to have a quiet build up to the Cheltenham Festival and made all here on his only ride this weekend to bring up the magical tally of 100 winners for the season.
The Midleton jockey completed a century for the first time last season when his total of 109 winners enabled him to win a second National Hunt riders championship.
The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old gelding took command in the straight and stayed on strongly to record an effortless 19 lengths winning margin.
Coolagh Park who made a mistake at the last, filled the runner-up spot with Ballymacaw another seven lengths away in third.
Mullins said, “That was Paul's 100th winner of the year so that's good.
“It was the minimum of effort for him and he jumped fantastic when he was going at racing speed.
“He showed that he was able to put quick ones in when he was going slower and then when he quickened up he jumped really well.
“We'll hopefully get another two runs into him between now and Punchestown where he'll go for the novice hurdle. He could easily go out in trip.
“He's a horse, I hope, for novice chasing next year.”
Townend looks guaranteed to retain his jump jockeys' title as he holds a lead of 34 over Davy Russell (66 wins).
(GC & AM)
