'I have my work cut out' - Irish jump jockeys' title race between Jack Kennedy and Paul Townend set for thrilling climax
Paul Townend might be a raging hot odds-on favourite to reel in Jack Kennedy and claim his seventh Irish jump jockeys' championship, but the defending champion is convinced he has his work cut out catching the pacesetter in the final fortnight of a terrific title race.
Heading to Tipperary on Tuesday, after a winner apiece at Tramore on Monday, Kennedy holds a five-winner lead – 120-115 – over Townend in his quest to claim a first title, but the consensus seems to be that he will need an even bigger lead heading into the Punchestown festival starting next Tuesday such is the stranglehold Willie Mullins has on the meeting.
Townend is 1-3 with BoyleSports to win the title on Saturday week at Punchestown, while Kennedy can still be backed at 2-1 despite continuing to set a relentless gallop at the head of affairs. With Townend due to ride at Perth on Wednesday and Sandown on Saturday, there are just eight other domestic meetings for him to reel in the challenger to his throne.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
inIreland
- Tramore: 'This means everything' - joy as Pat Smullen's daughter Hannah partners her first winner
- Free entry to Gowran Park on Monday for first running of track's richest race
- 'Haatem has a massive future' - Richard Hannon says Irish Guineas second can join Rosallion on Group 1 roll of honour
- City Of Troy and Los Angeles to be joined by 50-1 outsider as Aidan O'Brien readies three-strong Derby team
- 'He's improving all the time' - Adrian Murray hopeful of big Derby run from 40-1 shot
- Tramore: 'This means everything' - joy as Pat Smullen's daughter Hannah partners her first winner
- Free entry to Gowran Park on Monday for first running of track's richest race
- 'Haatem has a massive future' - Richard Hannon says Irish Guineas second can join Rosallion on Group 1 roll of honour
- City Of Troy and Los Angeles to be joined by 50-1 outsider as Aidan O'Brien readies three-strong Derby team
- 'He's improving all the time' - Adrian Murray hopeful of big Derby run from 40-1 shot