Paul Townend in town for start of new Winter Million at Lingfield
Ireland's champion jockey Paul Townend is set to make a surprise appearance for one ride on the opening day of Lingfield's inaugural Winter Million festival on Friday.
Townend has been booked for just his second ride in Britain this season on the Emmet Mullins-trained Carrarea in the feature £100,000 Sovereign Handicap Hurdle (3.35).
The jockey, who will be making his Lingfield debut, missed the early winter months with a shoulder injury and had his first ride in Britain this season on Gauloise at Sandown this month. Townend could potentially be in action at Ascot on Saturday if Energumene is declared to face Shishkin in a huge Clarence House Chase clash.
Analysis: Energumene will make it fast and furious, but is he a freak like Shishkin?
Carrarea, who will be ridden by Townend for the first time, finished second at Fairyhouse on his last start in November and will be joined in the race by stablemate Sevenna Star.
Fellow Irish raider Lucky Max, who is bidding for a four-timer for Sean Doyle, also features in the final field of 12 for the 2m contest.
Gowel Road, who won at Cheltenham in November before finishing third in a Listed race at Newbury last time, carries top weight, while Metier is set to encounter heavy ground for the first time since winning the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle last season.
The three supporting £50,000 races have attracted single-figure fields, with seven declared for the 2m handicap chase and 2m7½f novice chase, and five in the 2m7f hurdle.
The four races at Lingfield on Friday will be shown on ITV4 alongside four from Market Rasen.
The Winter Million takes place across three days, with jumps cards on Friday and Sunday and a Flat meeting, including a £100,000 fillies' handicap, on Saturday.
Full racecard for the first day of Lingfield's Winter Million on Friday
Read these next:
Winter Million at Lingfield: what is it and which horses are in contention?
'Everything about it should suit him' - Metier primed for £100,000 race
Terrific clash in the Clarence House and new Winter Million head a stellar week
For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets
Published on inNews
Last updated
- 'It’s really exciting we can connect Wentworth's story to Stubbs' - last chance to catch master painter's homecoming
- The jumps season is getting into full swing - and now is the perfect time to join Racing Post Members' Club with 50% off
- 'It's just another level' - Abbaye success kickstarts a famous week for Brightwalton Stud
- Join the same team as Ryan Moore, Harry Cobden and other top jockeys with 50% off Racing Post Members' Club
- 'Nothing positive can come out of this for racing' - Betfair founder Andrew Black issues stark warning as affordability checks come into play
- 'It’s really exciting we can connect Wentworth's story to Stubbs' - last chance to catch master painter's homecoming
- The jumps season is getting into full swing - and now is the perfect time to join Racing Post Members' Club with 50% off
- 'It's just another level' - Abbaye success kickstarts a famous week for Brightwalton Stud
- Join the same team as Ryan Moore, Harry Cobden and other top jockeys with 50% off Racing Post Members' Club
- 'Nothing positive can come out of this for racing' - Betfair founder Andrew Black issues stark warning as affordability checks come into play