Minella Cocooner in €100,000 Leinster National one of five rides for champion jockey Paul Townend prior to biggest week of the year
Paul Townend Townend is a heavy odds-on favourite to be crowned Cheltenham’s leading rider for a fourth time. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho
Jack Kennedy leads Townend by six in Ireland’s jockey’s championship and is booked for three mounts at each of the weekend programmes. Supreme Package in 2022 ended a lengthy gap in Irish success in the historic contest which went back to 2006 and Victram’s success for Ado McGuinness. He is trying three miles for the first time on Sunday and comes up against some hardy handicappers such last year’s winner Espanito Bello and Diol Ker who won it in 2022.
Separately, Cheltenham’s Grade One Mares Hurdle looks all but certain to be Lossiemouth’s target on Tuesday. Owner Rich Ricci has poured cold water on hopes she could be switched late to take on stable companion State Man in the Champion Hurdle.
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