‘I’ve gone for potential over form’ — Townend on his tough Naas decision Willie Mullins holds a strong hand in the Ballymore Novice Hurdle and Paul Townend has reflected on a tough choice he had to make in the Grade 1 event. The 2m4f feature has been rescheduled to Friday after freezing temperatures caused yesterday’s meeting to be cancelled when he was due to ride Saint Baco. “It wasn’t an easy decision, and someone was always going to get a good ride out of it,” said the champion jockey. “I just liked what Saint Baco did in Navan and what he’s been doing at home. “Sortudo was the obvious ride on the book. I’ve gone for potential over form, and I could have egg on my chin after it! “I didn’t get to ride either of them in their maidens, so I was only going off homework and Danny (Mullins) found it hard to split them and he’d be a good judge. “They have both done well since their maiden wins and hopefully one of them is good enough. There won’t be much in it anyway.” Saint Baco and Sortudo were among nine declared for the Grade 1, with Paddy Power pricing up Saint Baco as their 13/8 favourite and Sortudo next best at 3/1. Fresh forfeits and supplementary entries can be made at noon today with fresh declarations to run on Wednesday.
