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.

Metier: Grade 1-winning novice hurdler is set for Lingfield's new £100,000 handicap hurdle on FridayCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

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

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