Stellar book of Punchestown rides gives Townend title-race edge

Paul Townend's return means his title tussle with Rachael Blackmore is finely poised going into the final week of the season, with the reigning champion four ahead as the pair enter the biggest week of the Irish jumps campaign.

As Townend is booked to ride in each of Tuesday's three Grade 1s, his title hopes have received a huge boost and Paddy Power make him a 1-5 shot for a fourth champion jockey title, with Blackmore priced at 7-2.

The 30-year-old jockey’s return comes at the perfect time as he is pressed by Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National winner Rachael Blackmore in the race to be Ireland’s leading jockey this season.

Punchestown Tuesday card

Having been ten clear on 95 winners before his setback, Townend's lead over Blackmore has dwindled to four, and the pair are now set to clash in two mouthwatering races on Tuesday, and in a clutch of other big-race showdowns later in the week.

Townend has chosen to ride Dublin Chase winner Chacun Pour Soi in the Grade 1 William Hill Champion Chase leaving Blackmore on Mullins-trained stablemate Allaho, whom she partnered to an emphatic victory in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last month.

Chacun Pour Soi: Townend is back in time to take the ride on the William Hill Champion Chase favouriteCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

In the second clash between leading owners Rich and Susannah Ricci and Cheveley Park Stud, superstar novice chasers Monkfish and Envoi Allen will contest the Grade 1 Dooley Insurance Champion Novice Chase.

Townend has partnered Monkfish in each of his last eight races, winning the last seven, including back-to-back Cheltenham Festival victories in the Albert Bartlett and Brown Advisory.

Blackmore, meanwhile, will ride Envoi Allen for the first time after taking over from Jack Kennedy, who fell from the previously unbeaten seven-year-old in the Marsh Novices’ Chase last time out.

Townend’s first ride back will be in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle on Supreme Novices' Hurdle faller Blue Lord, where Blackmore will again be among the opposition on the Joseph O’Brien-trained Uhtred.

Helped by a hat-trick at Kilbeggan on Friday, Blackmore has jumped to 91 winners in the title race and Henry de Bromhead's in-form stable jockey will have two extra chances to close the gap on Tuesday.

Rachael Blackmore celebrates after winning the Ryanair Chase on AllahoCredit: Alan Crowhurst

She will partner the Edward O’Grady-trained Top Line Tommy and Champagne Gold for De Bromhead in the day’s two handicap hurdles.

Mullins said he was going to give Townend every chance to recover from his injury in time for Aintree, but after missing that deadline the relief will be palpable at his Closutton yard as they prepare for battle at the end of another hugely successful campaign.

With the title race likely to go down to the last day, Townend has the luxury of being able to call on an eyewatering book of rides across the week's remaining nine Grade 1 contests.

Wednesday's feature race is the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup in which Willie Mullins stable jockey will be given the chance to reunite with Al Boum Photo.

Townend has an interesting choice to make in the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle on the same day, with Mullins well represented by leading fancies Stattler, whom Townend partnered to fourth in the Albert Bartlett, and Galopin Des Champs, who won the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham last month.

Punchestown Wednesday card

The exciting Energumene, who was forced to miss a much-anticipated clash with Shishkin in last month's Arkle after suffering a setback, is set to return in the Ryanair Novice Chase on Thursday, although one of Townend's weaker hands could come in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle in which Mullins' four entries are all available at 25-1 or bigger.

Punchestown Thursday card

Blackmore is poised to have the upper hand in Friday's Paddy Power Champion Hurdle on the unbeaten Honeysuckle, whereas Townend is expected to partner Sharjah, beaten a combined 25½ lengths by Kenny Alexander's superstar mare on his last two outings.

Honeysuckle: strong favourite for Friday's Paddy Power Champion HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

Another of Townend's Cheltenham winners Appreciate It – devastating in the Supreme – could step up to two and a half miles and take on Blackmore's brilliant Ballymore winner Bob Olinger in the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle.

Punchestown Friday card

After a week of heavyweight clashes, the title picture should be clearer heading into Saturday, when two more big clashes await.

Telmesomethinggirl was one of six winners at Cheltenham for Blackmore as she became the first female to be crowned the festival's leading jockey, and the De Bromhead-trained novice could step into senior company against the likes of Concertista in the Mares' Champion Hurdle.

In the final Grade 1 of the week, Triumph Hurdle hostilities could be renewed with Blackmore and Quilixios facing a potential rematch with Haut En Couleurs, who was three and a half lengths behind his rival at Cheltenham.

Punchestown Saturday card

Read more:

Punchestown Festival 2021: essential information for the Irish racing bonanza

Rachael Blackmore takes over Envoi Allen ride against Monkfish at Punchestown

Title-chasing Rachael Blackmore narrows gap on Paul Townend to four after treble

'We're not frightened of anyone' – Skelton's Nube Negra to tackle Mullins stars

Henry de Bromhead: Jack Kennedy to ride Minella Indo at Punchestown

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