Clonmel report: Townend seals win to trim Kennedy’s lead

It Could Be You was subject to plenty of late support prior to the Nire Valley Claiming Hurdle and he duly rewarded his supporters

LOFTY AMBITION: Whateys Quest and Philip Byrnes on their way to victory in the Knocklofty Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel yesterday.

Paul Townend clawed one back on jockeys championship leader Jack Kennedy, reducing the advantage to three, when taking yesterday’s feature at Clonmel, the Suir Blueway Chase, aboard Horantzau d’Airy.

He and market rival Hollow Games were in front from the outset but there was no fluency to their jumping, and the lead swapped hands on a few occasions.