Townend delays comeback Championship leader Paul Townend looks like facing another few days on the sidelines before resuming his bid to land the National Hunt jockey's title for the first time. The 20-year-old rider, currently nine ahead (76-67) of Davy Russell in the title race, fractured his left collarbone in a fall from Indian Buck at Navan on March 26. He has yet to meet Waterford-based orthopedic surgeon Tadhg O'Sullivan, and trainer Willie Mullins confirmed it was “unlikely Paul will be riding at Fairyhouse on Sunday”. “He was happy enough to wait a few days before seeing his specialist. He was in the yard earlier this week but has not ridden out. He's doing plenty of exercise to keep fit,” added Mullins. Townend was unavailable for comment but Turf Club doctor Adrian McGoldrick said: “I spoke with Paul's GP, Brendan Doyle, who told me he wouldn't be riding until after the weekend at the earliest. “To be honest I thought it was a bit tight coming back so soon. It's just over three weeks since he had a pin put in, and the wisest thing would be to give it another few days. If he took a fall on that dry ground he could do a good bit of damage.” Incidentally Mullins' son Patrick may be back in action over the next few days after also breaking a collarbone in a fall at Aintree. “He's fine and I'll see what we have to run in the next few days. I'm not sure if he'll be riding on Sunday but he'll be back riding soon after that.” Alan Magee
