Injured Townend to miss rest of festival

PAUL TOWNEND will miss the rest of the Punchestown festival, having hurt his collarbone in a fall off Mr Thriller in a Grade 1 novice chase on Tuesday.

As a result of the tumble, he bent the pin inserted in his collarbone when breaking it before the Aintree Grand National meeting last month.

Turf Club chief medical officer, Dr Adrian McGoldrick said: “The pin in the bone was bent at a 90 degree angle.” Townend underwent an operation yesterday and is now likely to be out for a minimum of six weeks.