Paul Townend Blog - Thoughts on Championship race rides plus Supreme and Ballymore
- Key quotes from Paul Townend's blog with bookmakers Ladbrokes
- Townend will have plenty of big rides during the 2023 Cheltenham Festival
- Paul talks about Galopin Des Champs, Facile Vega, Energumene and Impaire Et Passe in his latest blog
Jockey Paul Townend poses with the trophy after riding Al Boum Photo to win the Gold Cup race on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival. (Getty)
- Supreme Novices' Hurdle - Facile Vega
- Ballymore Novices' Hurdle - Impaire Et Passe
- Champion Hurdle - State Man
- Champion Chase - Energumene
- Stayers' Hurdle - Klassical Dream
- Gold Cup - Galopin Des Champs
Townend Talks
We bring you key quotes from Paul Townend's blog with Ladbrokes, as Ireland's Champion Jockey discusses his rides in the Championship races at the Cheltenham Festival. Townend also revealed his chosen rides in the Supreme and Ballymore Novices' Hurdles.
The atmosphere is so unique at Cheltenham and it is already starting to bubble. You hear about the famous ‘Cheltenham Roar’ and it really does get the hairs standing on the back of your neck. Going to the start for the Supreme is like nothing else. It’s amazing. The volume of noise. You don’t get it anywhere else. It is such a buzz.
At the Cheltenham Festival, you need a lot of luck. There’s plenty of times I have picked the wrong horse but that’s how it goes. I have been very lucky as well and I am hoping for the same next week.
The Irish brings a huge team across the water and although we won the Prestbury Cup well last year, I think the British have a lot of live chances that we need to be fearful of.
Supreme Novices' Hurdle - Facile Vega
Facile Vega2023 Supreme Novices' Hurdle OddsGET 2/1 HERE
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Among my best chances of the festival is Facile Vega. I won’t give up on him. To win the first race on the first day would be just brilliant. I have forgiven him for Leopardstown and I hope he has forgiven me. The feeling I get off him is so special and I hope we can get off to the right start.
Ballymore Novices' Hurdle - Impaire Et Passe
Impaire Et Passe2023 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle OddsGET 2/1 HERE
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Another of mine I really like, and feel has been forgotten about is Impaire Et Passe, who runs in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle. He deserves attention. I loved what he done in the Moscow Flyer. He is a relaxed horse, so the venue won’t get to him. He will love Cheltenham and I think he is a horse with a huge future.
Champion Hurdle - State Man
There doesn’t seem to be any fault in Constitution Hill. He has a lovely temperament, jumps brilliantly, has speed, and stays. Nico De Boinville was trying to slow him down coming down the hill last year, he was that fast. Speaking to the riders who have ridden against him, he just blows everyone away. I fell in the Supreme last year but I know just how fast we were going.
We will go out and make a plan but I think State Man is the best of the Irish. Unfortunately, we could just be running into an absolute superstar. I have to ride the race with Constitution Hill in it but at the same time you can’t just ride to beat one horse. You can get too caught up in riding to beat one horse I think.
Champion Chase - Energumene
Energumene2023 Champion Chase OddsGET 2/1 HERE
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The Clarence House Chase was a big indicator for the Champion Chase. I think we very much underperformed on the day and I wasn’t happy from the time he [Energumene] turned at the top of the hill. I don’t think Editeur Du Gite will get it his own way in front here and I can see him getting taken on more on the other track at Cheltenham.
I thought Edwardstone probably came out of the Clarence House Chase with the most credit even though he didn’t win. We learnt a lot from that race and we know what Energumen is capable of.
Stayers' Hurdle - Klassical Dream
Klassical Dream2023 Stayers' Hurdle OddsGET 10/1 HERE
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I think the ground will play a big part in the Stayers’ Hurdle. Teahupoo has taken a big step forward this year but all on soft ground. Obviously he downed Honeysuckle at Fairyhouse earlier in the year.
Klassical Dream hasn’t been seen since then but his racing has been a lot more relaxed this year and towards the end of last year. There is a lot of question marks about the horses coming here. There isn’t a standout horse but it’s brilliant to have such an open race.
Gold Cup - Galopin Des Champs
The Gold Cup is the biggest race of the year and it’s got a serious bit of spice to it. Galopin Des Champ is the novice coming through and we have some unfinished business from last year. He is such a genuine horse and I wouldn’t swap him for anything.
I don’t think it matters if the race is run fast or slow. From a riders point of view, you don’t want a slow race because when it’s a good even gallop the best horse normally wins and I think I have the best horse in the race. I can’t look beyond him.
A Plus Tard was unbelievable in the race last year but his prep this year hasn’t been ideal. Obviously Henry De Bromhead has the knack of getting them ready for these big races.
This race is open and there is a lot of good horses in there. My horse is probably too short for a Gold Cup but having been there and done it is a nice feeling; knowing that you will get the trip.
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