Pricewise on why Paul Townend is so good and his Champion Hurdle view

It didn’t strike me at the time, probably because Covid-19 was beginning to take hold and most of our thoughts were elsewhere, but rewatching the Ryanair and Gold Cup last week, one thing stood out like a sore thumb.

Yes, Min and Al Boum Photo are top-class chasers who were fully entitled to win both their races on form, but the difference between victory and defeat in two close finishes was partly due to the rides they were given.

Navan: stages an eight-race jumps card on SundayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Of course it helps riding the best horses and of course it helped that he has always had Ruby Walsh in his ear but Paul Townend was absolutely outstanding in both races and he fully deserves to be regarded in the same sphere as McCoy, Walsh, Russell and Geraghty.