Acid test for Paul Townend as he replaces the irreplaceable
Richard Forristal looks at the change in dynamic for the champion jockey
When Paul Townend wheels Asterion Forlonge around to face the tape as Prestbury Park’s pregnant grandstand draws one final breath before giving birth to a bawling din of euphoria for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, he’ll be in familiar territory.
Townend is in his 30th year and has 53 Grade 1 victories to his name. He has ridden at every Cheltenham Festival since he was 18, so this is number 12. Just 12 months ago he scaled jump racing’s definitive pinnacle when vanquishing Willie Mullins’ Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup hoodoo aboard Al Boum Photo.
That was his tenth winner at the annual four-day gala and he heads into the 2020 festival with a share of fourth spot in the roll of honour for active riders. Only Barry Geraghty, Richard Johnson and Davy Russell have claimed more wins in the March coliseum.
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