Townend irons out late problems to help Jasmin De Vaux pounce

Paul Townend excelled as Cheltenham winner Jasmin De Vaux edged out Aintree victor Honesty Policy in a thrilling finish to the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

A notoriously iffy jumper at the best of times, Jasmin De Vaux appeared to be coming to win the race before making a mistake at the final flight.

Townend lost his right iron shortly after landing and rather than try and get that one back, he kicked his left one out.

That enabled him to get into a position to ride the strongest finish possible as quickly as he could – and it was an inspired decision.

Mark Walsh had charted the inside course on Gordon Elliott’s Honesty Policy, who lost little in defeat, as Townend swept around the outside.

It was Jasmin De Vaux (13-8 favourite), winner of last year’s Champion Bumper at Cheltenham before this year’s Albert Bartlett success, who had the greater speed on the flat, though, and won by half a length.

Winning trainer Willie Mullins said: “He just does it when he has to. He’s not the world’s best jumper. Paul asked him for a big one at the last, he gave it to him but he nearly tipped him out of the saddle.

“It was great jockeyship by Paul to stay in the saddle, with I think one iron probably.

“It’s a fantastic achievement to get that done, get the job done. He did what needed to be done.

“He’s got a huge engine, maybe he’ll jump fences better – I don’t know.

“If you can just get him near the winning post, get him over his hurdles without losing too much ground, he’s able to make it up on the flat.”