DOMINIC KING: Terrific Paul Townend is a muddy marvel! Willie Mullins’ stable jockey enjoys memorable opening day at Cheltenham as Lossiemouth completes hat-trick of wins


Paul Townend shivered as the temperature dropped and his face was splattered with mud but he could have stayed where he was stood forever.

He was on the winner’s podium, holding court after the flashy grey mare Lossiemouth had engaged the afterburners to complete a memorable opening day for him and trainer Willie Mullins, hers the third leg of a treble that featured Gaelic Warrior’s majesty and State Man’s authority.

‘It doesn’t get much better than this,’ said Townend, Mullins’s stable jockey, and who could argue? Some riders can only dream of Grade One victories, here the 33-year-old collected three within two hours – including the Unibet Champion Hurdle – and made it look like he was shelling peas.

‘But it isn’t easy getting here,’ he pointed out. ‘It really isn’t. The pressure is privilege, there’s no doubt about it. Anybody would want it. But it’s pressure at the same time and when you win, it’s relief as much as ecstasy when it goes right.’

How it went right. Gaelic Warrior ran away from his rivals in the Arkle Chase in a manner that should be watched on repeat to comprehend the brilliance; Lossiemouth, in the same colours of Rich and Susannah Ricci, dismantled the field in the Mares Hurdle to show she is the best female in training.

Paul Townend picked up three victories within two hours on the opening day at Cheltenham (left with trainer Willie Mullins)

Paul Townend picked up three victories within two hours on the opening day at Cheltenham (left with trainer Willie Mullins)

He completed the treble with Lossiemouth after winning the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle

He completed the treble with Lossiemouth after winning the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle

Trainer Mullins has likened Townend to Manchester United legend Paul Scholes because 'he turns up, shows his class, does what is required, and moves onto the next assignment'

Trainer Mullins has likened Townend to Manchester United legend Paul Scholes because ‘he turns up, shows his class, does what is required, and moves onto the next assignment’

But what about State Man? Here was the conundrum. Nobody can doubt this chestnut talent and his CV is exemplary: this was his ninth Grade One win, a testament to his consistency and durability and he had had too much speed for Gordon Elliott’s Irish Point, who finished a length or so behind in second.

Mullins, a Manchester United fan, has likened State Man to Paul Scholes, in that he turns up, shows his class, does what is required and moves on to the next assignment with little fuss. Townend was in no mood to argue the point.

‘God I love him,’ said Townend. ‘He’s so adaptable to any situation in a race. You can go out with a free rein, do whatever you want to do. He’s a joy, a proper favourite of mine. If any horse had done half of what he had, they would be some animal.’

Credit, clearly, must be given. Yet, at the same time, the mood around the winner’s enclosure when State Man returned was respectful rather than riotous and you couldn’t shake the feeling a party was going on without its guest of honour.

This left you asking the question: what would have happened if Constitution Hill had turned up?

James Bowen, rider of third-placed Luccia, works for Nicky Henderson and surmised that his mare wouldn’t have got within 30 lengths of a fully fit Constitution Hill. But last season’s spectacular winner of the Champion Hurdle was at home in his box and his owner Michael Buckley was blue.

‘It’s just a travesty for Nicky and for Nico (De Boinville, Constitution Hill’s rider) that on the big day, he’s at home with some bug,’ said Buckley. ‘I always try to be polite and nice about everything. It’s a wonderful thing (for State Man’s team) to win.

‘But nothing happened in that race to make me think we wouldn’t have won. I have never had a horse like him, I will never have another horse like him. It’s awful that he couldn’t turn up for the big race and, frankly, it’s a s***** day!’

State Man's consistency and durability had too much speed for Gordon Elliott's Irish Point

State Man’s consistency and durability had too much speed for Gordon Elliott’s Irish Point

Gaelic Warrior ran away from his rivals in the Arkle Chase in a manner that should be watched on repeat to comprehend the brilliance

Gaelic Warrior ran away from his rivals in the Arkle Chase in a manner that should be watched on repeat to comprehend the brilliance

We don’t know when these two foes will meet again. Constitution Hill cleared away from State Man by nine yawning lengths 12 months ago and with the gelding still under the weather, it might be another 12 months before we get to find out whether he can do the same again.

Mullins and Townend are adamant that State Man is continuing to improve but Constitution Hill is different. Buckley knows it, the Cheltenham crowd know it and that’s why his absence was like a piece of the puzzle was missing.

‘I heard Mr Townend say he thought there were reason we beat him so far last year,’ said Buckley. ‘All I can say is let’s bring it on.’



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