PAUL Townend kept the pressure on his jockeys’ championship rival Jack Kennedy at Clonmel on Thursday where the Grand National-winning rider steered Willie Mullins’ Horantzau D’airy (4/5 favourite) to win the Suir Blueway Chase.

Townend disputed the lead on Horantzau D’airy for most of the way and while the pair led entering the home straight, Susannah Ricci’s novice blundered through the second last but managed to maintain his gallop to beat Gaelic Arc by six and a half lengths.

Townend, who had won the Aintree showpiece race five days earlier on I Am Maximus, reported: “He actually jumped better over the bigger fences previously at Leopardstown and maybe the nicer ground helped him then.

“The ground is harder work on the chase course today than the hurdle course, but he won and was good on the whole. I got a great ride from him around Leopardstown, but he was indecisive today and didn’t want to let rip - maybe it was harder work on the ground.

“He hit the second last a fair thump, but is a strong horse who got out through it. I think he is a better jumper than what he showed and, while I don’t know what the plan is, I’d imagine he’ll be kept going on better ground.”

Townend, who finished the day three winners behind Kennedy (117-114), had less fortune in the earlier Fourmilewater Maiden Hurdle when his late challenge on Maroto (6/5 favourite) failed by three-quarters of a length to the front-running Lady Bresil (5/4).

The winner, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, had jumped left for much of the race but got first-run on the runner-up, holding on to score for trainer Henry de Bromhead and owner Basil Holian.

De Bromhead said: “I’m delighted for the Holians and she is a lovely mare who jumped well, despite jumping a bit left. Rachael said she was still a bit green in front and hopefully can come on plenty for it.

“She came to us a few months ago, has tipped away nicely and we went to a racecourse gallop at Thurles thinking she would either go on break or have a run. She worked well so we said we’d run her. I haven’t thought beyond today, but she will jump fences eventually.”

GALWAY-based trainer Norman Lee had a dream result with a one-two through his two 10-year-old mares in the Glenary Mares Handicap Chase, as Eddies Pride defeated stablemate Seangoell by four lengths.

The winner (9/2) was partnered by Gary Noonan and afterwards Lee reported: “It was a pity to run both horses against each other and we had planned on keeping them separated, but with so many meetings being called off it was a great result.

“We had a one-two previously at Ballinrobe and they are grand, solid, old mares who are healthy and well and will stay going as long as there is an ease in the ground. They’ll either be put in foal this or next year.

“The winner is owned by Eddie Naughton, who is a good supporter of ours, and the mare is doing her job at her level. Gary gave her a great spin.”

O’Shea celebrations

The 20-race maiden Tingarran Express (10/3 favourite, for the ISE Express Syndicate) picked a fine day to shed her maiden tag in the Cannonwood Handicap Hurdle, as the seven-year-old mare scored for trainer Denise O’Shea, who was attending her brother’s wedding.

Tingarran Express was interfered with by Grand Rouge when challenging on the inner at the second last before registering a hard-fought win from runner-up The Niffler, with Grand Rouge’s rider Cian Quirke later receiving a nine-day improper-riding suspension.

Tina Condon, representing O’Shea, said: “Denise is at her brother Darren’s wedding and was just on the phone to say they’re delighted and are all roaring and shouting!

“The mare had been knocking on the door. She works well at home but isn’t easy work. She is forward-going and was very free today, but Brian [Hayes, winning jockey] knows her well. She has an entry at Tipperary on Tuesday so we’ll see how she is.”

Condon added: “I ride out in Denise’s and my daughter Ava also helps out.”

WELL-backed Whateys Quest (2/1 – 5/4 favourite) landed the Knocklofty Maiden Hurdle for trainer Charles Byrnes, his son Philip Byrnes and Byrnes Bloodstock Limited.

Held up behind the leaders, the six-year-old went clear of Midweek Voices before the last to score by three and three quarters of a length.

“It took him a while to win, but it was that type of race and he handled the ground well,” said the winning trainer.

“He will run at Tramore on Monday in a 0-102 beginners’ chase - we may as well.”

The concluding Russellstown INH Bumper was won in useful manner by the Gigginstown House Stud-owned Bleu De Vassy (4/1), who quickened well to score by seven lengths from Champagne Kid.

The Gordon Elliott-trained son of Cokoriko was ridden by Harry Swan, who said: “He is a lovely horse, was a little disappointing the last day at Leopardstown, but had a good run before that at Fairyhouse. He has got back to that form and the better ground suited today.

“I think two miles suited - it was a longer trip the last day and he looks a nice one going forward. Hopefully will be a smart enough horse.”

It Could Be You (11/4 favourite) went unclaimed following his win in the opening Nire Valley Claiming Hurdle, having made all to win his fourth career race for trainer Tom Mullins and jockey Sean Flanagan.

Mullins said of the Rory Larkin-owned winner: “His confidence had gone but, in a race like that, he got an easy lead. He isn’t a bad horse, but had just lost his way and at Limerick the last day he almost didn’t want to jump off and the ground was terrible. He came home hopping after Limerick, though, and I persuaded the owner to keep going.”