Two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Paul Townend is hoping he can replicate history and take home the biggest prize in jumps racing again at this month’s festival.
The jockey will ride Galopin Des Champs in the prestigious race on St Patrick’s Day and declared they have “unfinished business” after the horse dramatically fell at the final fence during the Turners Novices' Chase last year.
The Cork man said the weeks before Cheltenham is when he feels the pressure because during the festival it’s “too late” and added: “the decisions are made and it’s time to perform.”
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When asked if he was going to lift the Cheltenham Gold Cup for a third time later this month, Townend told The Irish Mirror: “That’s the plan at the moment … I think I go there with a huge chance in the Gold Cup with Galopin Des Champs.
“He was unlucky there last year when he fell at the last fence. So we have a bit of unfinished business.
“He’s come through his trials really really well, so I think I go there with a favourite’s chance … the race is so prestigious, the Grand National is probably the most famous race in the world but there’s something special about a Gold Cup victory.”
The 32-year-old added: “These couple of weeks leading up to Cheltenham, you’re hoping all the horses stay healthy and sound and you have to stay sound yourself in the other races before you go over.
“You’re also just trying to sit on as many different horses as you can and see what’s going well and what isn’t so the pressure starts now.”
Townend, who is a Ladbrokes ambassador, previously lifted the trophy in both 2019 and 2020 with Al Boum Photo and said the feeling was even better the second time.
He explained: “The first year, I won well. I remember it crossed my mind thinking ‘Jesus, we’re going to win a Gold Cup’ and having to rein myself back in and saying ‘you’re not there yet get over the line’.
“The next year was a bit closer … I was able to take it in a bit more the first year. I was afraid, I wouldn’t be able to replicate the feeling I got the first year but the second year was good if not even better. It just brings winning to a whole new level, the Gold Cup just stands on its own.”
In a wide-ranging exclusive interview with The Irish Mirror, the top jockey also talked about how he swapped the classroom for the racetrack after the Junior Cert and his plans for the future.
The top rider also revealed he doesn’t have any rituals or do anything special to prepare for the festival but said the pressure comes with the territory of riding in big races.
He explained: “You do your homework, you study the form, you make a plan and you weigh up all the different variables and hopefully you get a bit of luck.
“Your plans can change. You have ABC but sometimes you’re on D. You have to go out there with a game plan and hopefully it’s the right one.”
He added: “We are employed to do a job, Obviously pressure comes with the job, if you didn’t feel it you wouldn’t be doing the job justice but you have to channel that in the right direction and I think a little pressure makes you a little sharper.”
Townend said he believes Cheltenham is the “pinnacle” of horse racing and the healthy rivalry between English and Irish trainers makes it fun.
He said: “People say there is too much hype around Cheltenham but I don’t really buy it. Everyone who buys a horse is buying the dream of going to Cheltenham.
“Obviously, there are other big races scattered throughout the calender but Cheltenham is where the Irish clash with the English.
“If you have a bad Cheltenham, it’s probably season-defining, to be honest. You can do brilliant things throughout the year but Cheltenham is the one week that you need to perform.”
The top jockey said stories such as the success experienced by Flooring Porter which was purchased by a group of lads on Facebook are what keep “racing going”.
The horse stormed to victory and won the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle Race last year.
Townend said: “You don’t have to buy the most expensive horse to end up in a place like Cheltenham.
“All you need is the dream and a bit of luck - you can buy the most expensive horses but it doesn’t mean they’re going to be the fastest ones.”
Townend, who rides for Willie Mullins, described the legendary horse trainer as a “genius” and he revealed he got work experience at his yard in Transition Year and never left.
He said: “You’re learning every day from him. I went there in Transition Year from school and I am still doing it.
“We are there a long time. Obviously, Ruby Walsh was there for a long time when I started but he had to hang up his boots and luckily we were able to fill into the hot seat.
“They kept me in school to do my Junior Cert on the condition I could take a year out for Transition Year and go up and see if I liked it and the school didn’t see me much more than that.
“I landed on to collect my results at some stage from the Junior Cert, but no when I got out, I wasn’t going back.”
The top jockey also said he doesn’t have any plans to hang up his boots yet and revealed he is still as hungry and passionate as when he first started.
Townend explained: “You know 32 years of age, I’m probably one of the older lads in the Irish weigh room but I hope there are a lot of years left in me yet.”
He also said his plans for the future are to “ride winners, perform and stay healthy” and that his only rival was the jockey on the horse ahead of him.
The Cork man added: “There are a lot of very capable riders in Ireland and England.
"I think in the weigh room we have great respect for each other. We’re fierce rivals out on the track but we’ve great respect for each other as well and it’s a fun to place to be.”
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