Paul Townend

I was on Quel Esprit last weekend and it was good to get back in the winner’s enclosure with him. He was fancied, I know, but he couldn’t have done it any better. It’s a bit of confidence for him again. He had a few falls last year and after a few falls like that horses can sometimes take run or two to get their confidence back, but he seemed to be good straight away. He did everything right.

I heard one ante-post tipster has picked him out as an outsider for the Gold Cup. There’s a long way between Thurles on a Saturday in January and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. Probably the best staying chaser I’ve been on was another one of Willie’s, Cooldine. He won the RSA Chase at Cheltenham a couple of years ago and I rode him in the Gold Cup, but I couldn’t compare the two of them, they’re completely different horses. So I don’t really know about Quel Esprit and the Gold Cup, it’d a step-up in class but you never know.

Punchestown and Navan

I’ve a busy couple of days ahead of me at Punchestown and Navan. I’m down for three mounts at Punchestown today. Hisaabaat for Dermot Weld in the Grade 3 hurdle is one. Willie’s one (Ut De Sivola) looks the one to beat. I rode him in a couple of bits of work and he looks to be very good, but there’s a nice bit of prize money and we’d be hopeful to pick up some of that.

I’m up on Droim Toll for Donal Hassett in the handicap chase (Punchestown, 1.20). I’ve won three handicap chases on him already and I enjoy riding him. He jumps well and you can take your time on him so I’m looking forward to that. Paco Jack hasn’t shown a whole lot recently but he’s slipping down the handicap, so you never know.

I also have a few rides at Navan on Sunday, including Luddsdenene and Prince of Leisure, but January is a quiet enough time, there isn’t a lot of racing on. Some lads can find it hard with weight but I’m lucky enough in that I don’t have many problems. I don’t have to be getting up on the treadmill in the sauna or anything like that. I go into the sauna the odd time to lose a pound or two but nothing serious, I can make bottom weight handy enough. I can eat the breakfast anyway!

Between Christmas and the big Festivals later in the season, this is a bit of an in-between time. A lot of lads have gone to England in the past but that’s not something I’ve thought about at all. I’m very content here with what I have to ride, and if things keep going the way they’re going here I won’t be heading over there.

The Twitterati

I see Ruby joined Twitter this week. I’m on there for the last few months too. It’s a bit of craic – plenty of slagging more than anything – but it’s handy to keep in touch with the lads who go to England that you’d know from home. You can get in touch with me over there if you like.

Talk to you all again next week, hopefully with a few winners behind me...