Geraghty: watching from the sidelines would have been far worse for Townend

Irish champion jockey Paul Townend will make a timely return to the saddle on the opening day of the Punchestown festival with Barry Geraghty convinced the emotional torture of watching from the sidelines would far outweigh any physical pain endured in order to defend his riders' championship at Punchestown.

Townend has not ridden since injuring his foot at Fairyhouse earlier this month, but he has defied the odds in being fit enough to be declared to ride Chacun Pour Soi, Monkfish and Blue Lord in what is a huge boost for the Willie Mullins team ahead of the three Grade 1 races at Punchestown on Tuesday.

Whatever discomfort Townend has to ride through at Punchestown, Geraghty believes it will be far more bearable than watching on as Rachael Blackmore attempts to chip away at his four-winner lead in the jockeys' championship.