DAY ONE REACTION:DERMOT WELD hasn't built up such a momentous Galway record by not knowing who to turn to when it comes to steering his horses past the post first and the legendary trainer wasn't slow in proclaiming Paul Townend as a future champion jockey after his success on Force Of Habit in yesterday evening's festival opener.
In the two years since Townend first launched himself into racing’s general consciousness with Indian Pace’s Guinness Hurdle victory, the now 19-year-old has got used to dealing with the sort of praise that could turn most teenage heads.
Weld, however, has a reputation for hugely demanding standards in those riding his horses. It’s not surprising then that names such as Dunwoody, Maguire, Walsh and Carberry feature among those long list of Ballybrit National Hunt winners for Weld’s yard over the decades.
It’s pretty meaningful then that the trainer didn’t hesitate last night to place Townend amongst them. “He is right up there with any of them and he is going to be champion National Hunt jockey of Ireland in the very foreseeable future,” Weld said after Force Of Habit’s three-quarter length defeat of Hail Caesar.
“I don’t have too many jumpers but he rode Teach Nua to win for me here last year and whenever I can get him, I’m delighted to use him.
“You saw why there.”
There did seem to be an inevitability about how Townend galvanised Force Of Habit to the lead in the final 100 yards of the novice hurdle, an inevitability that only the very best seem to be able to generate.
Townend is now a heavy odds-on favourite to be the leading jump jockey at this week’s festival with rides including Themoonandsixpence in tomorrow’s Plate. Before that, however, he will confirm his versatility with one ride over hurdles and two on the flat this evening.
Champion trainer Willie Mullins is happy to allow Townend switch codes for the time being. But he wouldn’t disagree with Weld’s assessment of the young man whose career he has moulded and who in time seems to be the natural successor to the currently injured Ruby Walsh.
“I don’t want him wasting too much for the flat. I would rather him stay strong for the jumps. But he remarkably mature for a 19-year old, with such a mature racing brain,” Mullins said.
