Paul Townend

In our latest column from Irish champion jockey Paul Townend, he looks forward to one of the biggest races on the Irish jumps calendar, the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle.

I'm looking to forward to what should be a great weekend of racing in Leopardstown with the feature race being the Irish Champion Hurdle at 2.30 on Sunday.

It sees the return of Hurricane Fly who should draw a big crowd on his first appearance since last summer. I have got the mount on Thousand Stars (pictured top), who I would say has a live chance in the race. Although he wasn’t able to beat Hurricane last year it should be a good race. If he is unable to win the race he should still give a good account of himself and we would be hopeful to pick up some prize money. Another horse in the race, Unaccompanied for Dermot Weld, of course ran a great race with me on board a few weeks back and he has Davy Russell on board. All in all it has the makings of a great race and we are all looking forward to it.

I had a good day last Saturday with a nice double on Marasonnien and Mikael D’Haguenet although I felt I left a treble behind me when Allee Garde was unluckily beaten into a close third in the third race. I thought Mikael D’Haguenet was very good last week. He seems to be coming back to himself. I thought he jumped brilliant and he isn’t far off being back to his best.

Marasonnien also went very well on the day. He's a nice horse and stays well, he was well fancied on the day and he delivered a good all round performance. He made one mistake at the last but luckily it didn’t cost us and we got home. I’m not sure what Willie’s plan for them is going forward but they are two good rides to have got. On the Sunday, I had a nice winner for Seamus Fahy on Caolaneoin. It was a good performance and nice winner.

Saturday

Tomorrrow there is some great racing both at home and abroad. In Cheltenham there are some great races but the pick for me will be Danny Mullins up on Mourad against Ruby and Big Bucks. It should be a great race. Because Danny is over with Mourad, I’m aboard Marlay Park in the Leopardstown Handicap Steeplechase. Its a horse I can’t wait to ride and I have a good feeling he could go very close in that one. Darroun in the first tomorrow is another that I think will go well. He ran a great race with Ruby up last time out.

Also, it was great to see such a good crowd at Gorwan Park on Thursday. It has been a great day's racing over the last few years and it keeps improving. Well done to everyone involved down there and keep up the good work. Congrats to Davy Casey for riding the winner of the big race, another one of Willie’s. It’s been a great week all round for Willie... I think it's 10 winners from his last 20 runners!

Finally, I’ll like to let ye know that I have signed with The Sun newspaper to bring ye all my views for the Cheltenham festival in six weeks' time. I look forward to it and hope that I will be able to tip a few winners!!