In the Race & Stay At Punchestown Champion I.N.H. Flat Race rider Jody Townend achieved his first Grade One victory when Redemption Day finished from last to first.
Redemption Day, who was trained by Willie Mullins, placed second in this race two years ago before going on a 611-day break. But he relished his time in the spotlight after winning at Fairyhouse last month.
Stablemate Jasmin De Vaux was sent off as the 6-4 favourite to build on his Cheltenham bumper victory, but Patrick Mullins was pushing along from some way out, in contrast to Townend, who had started the race at the back of the field.
Redemption Day was leading his competitors at the top of the straight when Townend raised a question. He answered in style to run out a three-and-quarter-length victory.
The winning rider said: “Once he settles, he has some engine. He has the turn of foot of a Flat horse. With the turn of foot he has, once he settled, I actually didn’t mind what they did. He went so sleepy again, you’d wonder what he is going to do and how much he is going to find. He did the same in Fairyhouse, he just picked up and I was still there too soon again today. Thankfully, it paid off. I just love the horse, I was second on him two years ago to Facile Vega here. I’m delighted for the owner, Tim O’Driscoll, as he gave him plenty of time when got the injury and stuff, and it has paid off.”
Mullins added: “That’s fantastic for Jody, her first Grade One. She always does her own thing in her races and it works! We often discuss what’s going to happen but when the tape goes up, Jody just does what Jody wants to do. She’s had some success, so we just have to take our hats off to her. This horse missed a year and I thought he could be Champion Bumper material. I thought that I’d rather do that than go hurdling. He can go hurdling next season. He followed home Facile Vega here two years ago and that sort of form stands up every day of the week. It paid off. He could run on the Flat over a mile and a half or a mile and six.”