A day after his controversial ride abroad Al Boum Photo, which saw the horse veer right and take out Finian's Oscar, Paul Townend has won the first two races of the day at the Punchestown festival with Willie Mullin's horses Pravalaguna and Next Destination.
You can’t keep a good man down – Pravalaguna wins the @LouisFitzHotel Hurdle under a certain Paul Townend for trainer Willie Mullins! @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/OZ3XQ2v1T3
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 25, 2018
What a difference a day makes - Next Destination wins the Grade 1 Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins: pic.twitter.com/Ux9yUtxLue
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 25, 2018
The jockey received a 21-day ban for dangerous riding following the incident and was ordered to forfeit his riding fee. Earlier this morning, Robbie Power, the jockey who suffered as a result of the incident, took to Twitter to offer his support to Townend.
It's taken me a few hours to calm down from that very unfortunate incident yesterday @punchestownrace with Paul Townend.
Nobody feels worse than him, just human error. #nohardfeelings #brillliantjockey pic.twitter.com/0Qf7UX3Bvl— Robbie "Puppy" Power (@Robbie_Power_) April 25, 2018
There was widespread support for Townend today, who yesterday told the Turf Club that he thought he heard a shout to avoid the fence and admitted his mistake.
Ruby Walsh going straight over to congratulate Paul Townend after winning the second @punchestownrace 🐎🏆#PTown18 pic.twitter.com/2hYl9YGKGJ
— BETDAQ (@BETDAQ) April 25, 2018
Thats how sportsmen at the top of their game respond...well done paul townend delighted for you...great pat on the back from Ruby as welll@irishracing @Ruby_Walsh @punchestownrace
— Wayne Daly (@guidalec) April 25, 2018
Way to go Paul Townend! 👏👏👏 Well pleased for you.
— Sean Moran (@sizz1sizz) April 25, 2018
Townend was interviewed on RTE Sport by Ruby Walsh. When asked about yesterday, he confirmed: "that's behind us now."
If victory in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle on Pravalaguna didn't help Paul Townend over his mishap yesterday, we think Ruby Walsh did. #rteracing pic.twitter.com/JQFvpJXQa4
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 25, 2018
Both results were also a positive for Willie Mullins, who is still in a bid to overcome Gordon Elliot to win the Irish Trainers' Championship.
