Pleasant Company and Paul Townend© Photo Healy Racing
Paul Townend rode a double on the day after Whiteout earlier, and his fourth of the week, when helping his boss Willie Mullins to a closing day treble with Pleasant Company (4/1 favourite) in the Grade B Palmerstown House Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase at Punchestown.
The preceding race had seen another Mullins winner with the Bryan Cooper-ridden Apple's Jade but Townend was on the Malcolm Denmark-owned Pleasant Company (hood on for his handicap chase debut) in this three mile one furlong event.
He did everything right through the 0 to 150 contest and was always looking likely to contain Regal Encore (stormed home) by three parts of a length.
"It's been a brilliant two days. It started slow but it's ending very well. I'm happy to ride some winners and to sneak a Grade 1 out of it as well," commented Townend.
"This fella jumped brilliant the whole way for me. I was probably in front a fraction too soon but when he was going I didn't want to disappoint him. Thankfully he got me out of a hole and stayed going to the line.
"When he heard the other horse coming he pulled out for me again.
"He ran too free in Cheltenham but he settled brilliantly today. The addition of the hood and the strong gallop probably helped. He's doing everything right and he's going the right way."
Mullins said: "He's a fine, big staying chaser and just ran too free at Cheltenham. We wanted to run him in the bet365 Chase at Sandown but he didn't get in.
"He's done it nicely and looks a National horse, and could run in something like the Hennessy."
Looking back on the season he reflected: "It's been a great year for everyone. We have a great team and really it's down to our stable staff and the group of owners we have. They are the mainstay of the stable.
"It's gone well right from the start of the season, and all our owners and riders have had a good year."
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Kayf Supreme (GB), trained by J.T.R.Dreaper, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be have a wound on his right hindleg but was otherwise post race normal.
The Stewards requested a report from W.P. Mullins, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Pleasant Company, placed first, as compared with its recent run at Cheltenham. W.P. Mullins reported that his charge was pulled up in the 3 mile 7 furlong Novice Listed Steeplechase at Cheltenham having run too free. Today a hood was fitted and it had the desired effect of settling the animal. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.
(AM & EM)
