One’s a Charm for Townend

DAY two of Cheltenham was awash with feelgood Irish stories yesterday but none gladdened the heart more than Paul Townend’s successful ride on board What A Charm in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

It came just over 24 hours after he had, to paraphrase his own words, looked on from a distance at Hurricane Fly’s tail as Ruby Walsh guided Willie Mullins’ fancy to victory in the Champion Hurdle.

Townend had partnered Hurricane Fly throughout the winter while Walsh had nursed a broken leg before handing the bridle to the champion jockey for March Madness here on the Cotswolds.