'It’s been a lucky race for me' - Townend looking forward to Thyestes Chase

After winning last year's Thyestes Chase on Nick Rockett, Paul Townend explained his decision to ride Captain Cody in Thursday's renewal of the race.

"I’m looking forward to Thursday’s card at Gowran Park. The feature, the Thyestes Handicap Chase (15:30), is a huge race locally. I’ve lived near to Gowran for a long time now and if the Melbourne Cup stops the nation in Australia, this race does the same to Kilkenny – it stops the county! Until you live around the place and witness it, it’s hard to believe. Even people that don’t follow racing locally, follow the Thyestes and go and support that day. It’s a big deal around us at home. It’s been a lucky race for me, I’ve won it two of the last three years and the year in between I came second.

"It’s a typical open renewal and it’s going to be heavy ground. It’s a competitive race and I don’t think there’s any ‘stand-out’ horse in it. In such a stamina test I’ve gone for Captain Cody. He’s got two runs under his belt already this season – including a brilliant run when third in the Grade 1 Drinmore, over a trip way too short for him. His run at Leopardstown over Christmas wasn’t too bad either. This extended three-miles will definitely suit him, although horses towards the top of the weights might find it tougher on this ground. It’s going to be a slog of a race. We’ve had a lot of rain, and it’s forecast to keep raining.

"One of the obvious dangers in opposition is Better Times Ahead down the bottom of the handicap for trainer Robert Tyner. He’ll stay the trip, is unbeaten this season and has a featherweight on his back – with Mark Walsh doing 10st 5lb. Closer to home, High Class Hero has top weight, but he’s a classy individual. Quai De Bourbon’s run in the Irish National was also very good, but he was pulled up at Navan on his reappearance this season.

"Earlier on the card I ride Funiculi Funicular in the Beginners Chase (14:55). I’ve stuck with him even though he was behind King Alexander in a race earlier this season in Naas. I hope he’s open to a little bit more improvement. He’s a horse that hasn’t had a whole lot of racing, and I just think that can improve him a little bit. I’ve always liked him a lot and, with the ground in mind, his win in Clonmel this time last year was on soft ground, and he won that by a long way. As well as King Alexander, we line up against two solid horses in Butch Cassidy and C’est Ta Chance. The Wallpark might appreciate this test of stamina as well, so he’s an interesting runner. My lad was there down to the last at Naas and I think he can step forward from it.

"I should also mention 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Gerri Colombe who goes in the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle (13:45). I don’t have a ride in the race but it’s interesting to see Gordon Elliott’s 10-year-old back over the smaller obstacles after being pulled up at Leopardstown in the Savills Chase at Christmas. He has cheekpieces on here and that coupled with the return to hurdles is maybe to spark him up a little bit. I’ll definitely be watching him with interest."

Paul Townend was speaking to Betway.