Townend enjoys the weird and the wonderful as he becomes a dual Gold Cup winner
Paul Townend, by this point a dual Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup winner for around 15 minutes, stood on the weighing scales, looked into the distance and exhaled, allowing the breath to emerge long and slow. As he breathed out, he soaked everything else in. A penny for your thoughts, Paul.
Once upon a time it seemed Al Boum Photo would be forever associated with Townend for haunting, horrible reasons. That day at Punchestown – details no longer necessary – was consigned firmly to the past when horse and rider combined to triumph on this stage a year ago.
There could never be a more spectacular reversal of fortunes than that. What happened here, however, still represented a handsome turnaround.
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