Townend powers Pires to victory

The Paul Townend-ridden Pires gained a last-gasp victory in the featured Water Towers Chase in Ballinrobe, continuing the superb form of trainer Tony Martin.

The nine-year-old, backed from 7/2 to 2/1 favourite, had four lengths to make up jumping the final fence but stayed on under Townend’s driving and got up in the dying strides to foil Tribes And Banner, ridden by John Cullen, which had looked an assured winner when forging two lengths clear on the run-in, with 40/1 shot Fantastic Gold a close third.

“He missed the two fences down the back and I though he had no chance jumping the last,” admitted a delighted Tony Martin afterwards. “He doesn’t enjoy winter ground and today’s conditions were just right for him. We’ll mix it with him. And he’ll probably head for Listowel next.”