JJ Slevin scalps his rivals in the feature before shaving his head for charity

Sunday: Thurles

Paul Townend took revenge on JJ Slevin for winning the feature Boreen Belle Mares Novice Hurdle at Thurles on Sunday when, entrusted to shave the jockey's head in the winner's enclosure for charity, the champion jockey left Slevin resembling something out of The Last Of The Mohicans.

It was all a bit of fun and for a good cause, with Slevin getting his hair scalped to raise awareness for Muscular Dystrophy Ireland, a charity close to the rider’s heart.

Slevin will need to visit a barber’s in the coming days to finish what Townend started but, at least he can afford the trip thanks to Lunar Display, who stamped her authority over her rivals in the feature.

Trained by Slevin’s cousin Joseph O’Brien, Lunar Display made a massive mistake two out but was somehow back on the bridle soon afterwards and ended up winning with any amount in hand at the line.

According to Slevin, the change in tactics was decisive, with the rider revealing Lunar Display has taken a bit of time to get to know.

He said: “She jumped well the whole way and it was a strongly run two miles. That played to her strengths. It took me a while to learn how to ride her. I think I’ve been putting her in motion a bit soon, especially last time when I thought I made it a bit of a dog fight for her.

“We’re learning about her all the time and she won easily today. Joseph does a great job with these mares. They seem to run their race every day they go out.”

Class comes to the fore as Stratum stars over fences

Townend continued his own red-hot run of form when Stratum provided the rider with his eighth winner since returning from injury in the opening beginners' chase.

A classy horse on the level and over hurdles, Stratum led home a Willie Mullins one-two, with Cavallino chasing home the winner.

Townend said: "He was probably entitled to do it on his run the last day. A reproduction of that was probably going to be good enough today.

"He must be a joy for Mr [Tony] Bloom to own because he’s brought him everywhere. He’s real neat — he’s like a cat over a fence. He made one mistake here the last day but learned from that. He’s late going chasing but he has plenty of bottle for it.”

Mullins completed a double when Eabha Grace landed the second division of the mares’ bumper under Jody Townend.

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