Paul Townend picks up the pieces after Annie Power’s shock exit

The OLBG Mares’ Hurdle was the one that got away for Ruby Walsh, but not for trainer Willie Mullins or Midleton jockey Paul Townend, who, along with Glens Melody, was on hand to pick up the pieces when Annie Power and her partner departed at the final flight.

Townend, understudy to Walsh in Closutton, has made a successful career stepping into the boots of Walsh, the 2010/11 former champion jockey proving a more-than-able deputy for many years.

This time, however, he looked set to settle for the understudy’s role once more, until fate intervened.