Townend stepped into the void left by Ruby Walsh when he broke his leg in November, and rode a number of big race winners for Mullins.

However Townend’s bid for the title of top jockey took a serious hit in the last few days of the season when suffered a broken collar bone.

Townend, who led Davy Russell 80 wins to 75 going into the Punchestown festival, fell from Mr Thriller in the Growise Champion Novice Chase on the opening card of the Punchestown festival.

That fall compounded the injured shoulder that Townend had sustained some five weeks earlier.

“He had a pin inserted in it five weeks ago, and when he fell (at Punchestown) he bent the pin quite badly,” said Irish Turf Club’s chief medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick.

Knowing he’d miss the last five days of the carnival, Townend had resigned himslef to finishing second in the overall jockey standings.

“It’s absolutely brilliant and in no way did I expect it,” said Townend.

“There were still four days left for Davy to catch me and right up until it was impossible for him to do it I thought he would – even today,” continued Townend.

It would have certainly been a nervous wait for Townend, who was forced to sit idly by as Russell hopped aboard a number of winning chances toward the back end of the Punchestown festival.

Russell finished in the top three six times in the final five days of the carnival but it wasn’t enough to reel in his young rival.

While injury nearly ruined Townend’s chances of becoming the leading National Hunt Jockey, it was an injury to Ruby Walsh that really opened the door for the 20 year old.

Willie Mullins has engaged Walsh to ride his top horses for some time now, however after the injury there were many asking who would fill the void.

However while some were questioning who would ride Mullins’ stable stars, Mullins himself had no problem turning to the jockey many had already been labelling ‘the next big thing’.

“There was no real decision to be made,” said Mullins. “It was just a case of Ruby’s out for a bit so let’s just get on with the job at hand, and I told Paul he was up,” said Mullins.

Townend should have no trouble picking up rides when he comes back from his latest injury set-back after a season that not only saw him take out the National Hunt Jockey’s Championship, but saw him salute at Cheltenham for the first time in his young career.

“To be associated with horses like Hurricane Fly has been a dream and having my first winner at Cheltenham was fantastic,”

“I’m very grateful to Willie Mullins for putting me up on his horses, not for one minute did I ever think I’d be champion jockey,” said Townend.

Townend is expected to be out of action for a couple of weeks, after initially not realising that he had broken his collar bone.

“I didn’t realise I’d broken the collar bone again because of the adrenalin, it didn’t hurt so much but I’ll be out for a couple weeks. I’ll be back in time for Galway and there’s no point in rushing,” continued Townend.

Bettors are reminded that they can bet on the outcome of next years jockey championship (both flat and chase) at Bet365

Willie Mullins has an incredibly strong hand in the race with three of the top chances in the race including the winner of last year’s World Series Hurdle Quevega. We take a look at the 2011 World Series Hurdle and provide you with all the information needed to back a winner.

The Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle is a 3m hurdle and will be run as race 4 on the Thursday of the Punchestown festival.

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1. Battle Group 33/1

Has been racing in consistent form lately, and was a winner at Aintree during the carnival. This horse rarely runs a bad race and gets in well at even weight scale. The three miles is a slight concern.

2. Carlito Brigante 14/1

Won the Grade 3 Coral Cup at Cheltenham, before running a respectable 4^th behind Big Buck’s in the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle. Comes into this race in good form, however no five year old has won this race since 1997.

3. Luska Lad 18/1

Was convincingly beaten by 40+ lengths at its last start and faces up a step up in grade here. One thing in its favour is its record at the track. He has won 2 races at Punchestown including a Grade 3 and a Grade 2 hurdle last year.

4. Mikael D’haguenet 18/1

The first of the Willie Mullins trained runners comes into this having not won a race in two years. However he is undefeated at Punchestown from two race starts which included the 2009 Grade 1 Champion Novice and a Grade 2 Novice Hurdle.

5. Mourad 4/1

Mourad has been the best backed runner to defeat the raging favourite. Won consecutive Grade 2 hurdles before running a gallant 3^rd behind Big Buck’s in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham. He has only missed a place twice in his 15 start jumping career, and both of those were fourth place finishes. Got within 5 lengths of Quevega last year and looks the major threat to the favourite.

6. Oscar Dan Dan 33/1

Has been racing consistently without finding the winning post of late. Ran a credible 5^th behind Oscar Whiskey during the Aintree Carnival, but would need to produce career best form to be beating these. Has had 8 goes at the 3m journey without any success which is a concern.

7. Rigour Back Bob 18/1

Another who comes out of the Cheltenham race won by Big Buck’s. Finished close to Mourad, so anyone giving him a chance should also consider Rigour Back Bob. Has won a 3m hurdle at Punchestown.

8. Ringaroses 50/1

Was beaten by 5 lengths by Battle Group, who has had little support for this race, at its last start. Has been struggling against lesser horses than these.

9. Won in the Dark 14/1

Another with form around Big Buck’s. Won in the Dark was third behind the champ in the Aintree Liverpool Hurdle when 66/1. Has been racing against the top quality jumpers which will hold it in good stead here. Has won twice at the Punchestown course.

10. Quevaga 4/5

The winner of this same race last year comes into the 2011 version of the race as a short-priced favourite. Willie Mullins has this 7 year old mare firing, and Ruby Walsh will be in the saddle chasing his third individual success in this race. Quevega won a Grade 2 Hurdle at Cheltenham in blistering fashion and is searching for his 8^th win from 10 career starts. Also gets a three stone pull in the weights over the male horses in the race. Clearly the one to beat.

11. Voler La Vedette 8/1

Another mare who comes into the race in wining form. Its last two starts have been wins in Grade 2 hurdles, so this is a nice progression. Has run within three lengths of both Hurricane Fly and race favourite Quevaga. Could be one of the better outsiders.

Tips

All roads lead to Quevega in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle. She has a tremendous record and should be too strong for these. Mourad looks the obvious threat, however the pull in the weights is too far in Quevega’s favour. Voler La Vedette and Won in the Dark are the best of the outsiders.

We take a look at the seven races and try to steer you into a winner.

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Race 1 (15:40)

The first race of the day sees a capacity field of 28 doing battle in a 2m 4f handicap hurdle. It seems as if the Michael Hourigan trained Warcraft will be tough to beat. Warcraft has been racing in consistent form without being a world beater, however he comes into this very well at the weights in what appears to be a lower grade than he has been racing against lately. Captain Paulie has also met with good support following an impressive win at Cork last start. Quiet Thought and Steele’s Rock are the best of the rest.

Race 2 (16:20)

The second race of the day is a 2m hurdle featuring a field of 13 runners. Ruby Walsh and Paul Nicholls will combine for what is just about the bet of the day. Empire Levant has yet to miss a place in its three career starts, which included a win over the highly rated Palawi. Empire Levant may come up short odds, but no one ever went broke backing winners. Expect Empire Levant to find his feet against the other four year olds and win easy, with the best outsiders being Kalann and Total Reality.

Race 3 (16:55)

Race three of the day is a very open 3m Grade 2 Novice Hurdle. The Willie Mullins trained Bishopsfurze will enter the race as favourite following impressive wins at Thurles and Clonmel. He was disappointing when beaten by 9 lengths last start by Hidden Cyclone. However that race has produced two subsequent winners, which bodes well for Bishopsfurze. Battle Group looks the obvious testing material after a strong win during the Aintree carnival. Expect these two to be battling it out in the home straight with Lambro the best of the outsiders.

Race 4 (17:30)

It’s all about quality, not quantity in this year’s Punchestown Gold Cup. Paul Nicholls will saddle up jumping royalty in Kauto Star for the Grade 1 event. Kauto Star is coming off a third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup behind Long Run. Prior to that he was also third behind Long Run in the King George VI chase. If Kauto Star can regain his best form he will win easily, but expect him to be short odds here. Kempes appears to be the main danger to Kauto Star, following a good win at Aintree during the carnival. Having said that Kauto Star finished five lengths ahead of Kempes in the King George VI chase, illustrating the gap in class between the two. Kauto Star should be winning here from Kempes with Nacarat the best of the outsiders.

Get the best odds on Kauto Star with Bet365

Race 5 (18:05)

The short priced favourites keep coming in race 5 with Waheeb expected to be prohibitive odds in the 2m flat race. The four year old by Elusive Quality is unbeaten in its three race starts, and Dermot Weld has it in excellent shape coming into this. Waheeb won his last start by 7 lengths, running impressive time in doing so. If McNamara can get him to settle, Waheeb will be too strong for these. Steps to Freedom is a winner of two from three, however he has not raced in almost a year and may need this run to get back to full fitness. Of the rest Lovethehigherlaw has the right sort of form to pull off an upset.

Race 6 (18:40)

Race six will be a 2m 4f Grade A Chase for horses aged over five. In what shapes an intriguing betting race we have Willie Mullins/Ruby Walsh combination on top with Scotsirish. Scotsirish has been racing in superior grade to this and gets his big chance to win a race. The top weight is a concern but if he can find his best he will be figuring in the finish.  Carrigmartin comes into the race with solid form and the consistent jumper will put himself in a good position to win the race. The French horse Osana has also been racing well and could find enough to win this race. Undoubtedly the toughest race of the day.

Race 7 (19:15)

A capacity field of 28 runners will see out the day. The best tip for this is race is pick winners early in the day, because it will be very hard to get out on the last. Of the 28 runners only three have ever saluted the winning post. However we will look outside the horses that have won for a tip. Faha, who has had just one career start, finishing second behind Clouded Thoughts at Clonmel. Faha went around at odds of 5/2 at his first race start and was beaten by a length. Hopefully whatever the punters saw in him before that race produces itself today. Ballysteen is one of the few in the race who knows what it takes to salute the judge and he could do so here. Lisdaleen is another who has won, and it could be a knock-out player. This is a tough race but the big field should mean bettors are getting inflated odds.

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The King George VI Chase won’t be run until Sunday 26th December 2010 but there is already much discussion around this exquisite steeple chasing event. As one of the hottest jump racing fixtures of the season, the King George – which is run at Kempton – attracts high profile equine athletes from all over the country. Online bookmaker SkyBet already offers great antepost odds for the King George VI Chase:

Ten-year-old Kauto Star is not a surprising choice as a race favourite. Paul Nicholls’ gelding has been dominating the King George V I Chase since 2006, winning it four times consecutively. Kauto Star is an absurdly successful steeple chase contender. In his six year career, Kauto Star started in 24 races, won 16 of them and came second 5 times; the remaining three races were ended either by a fall or when the gelding pulled up. Throughout this amazing career Kauto Star has been working almost exclusively with champion jockey Ruby Walsh, who is expected to take the reins when the time comes to take on the gelding’s fifth King George VI Chase.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies is planning to send his star pupil Imperial Commander into battle this December. The nine-year-old gelding has competed in 17 events thus far, winning seven and scoring one second and one third place. Imperial Commander’s greatest achievement to date is his win in the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup, which saw him defeat previous winners Kauto Star and Denman. The gelding, who has been ridden by Paddy Brennan since late 2008, is said to be doing well in training and set to give a blazing performance this December.

Long Run, another favourite at this stage, is a comparatively inexperienced contender compared to the likes of Kauto Star and Imperial Commander. The gelding has started in just five career races, winning four and coming third once. At only five years of age, Long Run has the advantage of youthful stamina, as well as a proven talent to handle himself in competitive situations. This young gun might just turn out to be the new Kempton Park superstar.

If you would like to get in early and take advantage of the great antepost odds available online, visit SkyBet for great starting prizes and convenient internet betting. Please be aware that the odds and runners are liable to change as the race date draws closer. To make sure you are still betting on the right horse, make sure to check out SkyBet or visit Horse Racing UK for regular updates on the King George VI Chase.

Sunday May 30th will see Leopardstown Racecourse hosting what has become known as Ireland’s biggest Youth Raceday. Gaisce Raceday, which serves to support the ‘Gaisce-The President’s Award’ program (Ireland’s National Challenge Award for young people aged 15 to 25). As this year marks the awards 25th anniversary, organisers at Leopardstown are doing their best to make it a special occasion for everyone involved.

A generous percentage of takings from the door will be donated to Gaisce, who will also receive all the proceeds from an innovative fundraiser to be staged at Leopardstown.
Donors to the Gaisce project are invited to purchase gold or silver feathers to be mounted on a large fibreglass angel designed by Lar Griffin, which will be signed with the donor’s name and mounted on the sculpture.

And – naturally – there will be some excellent racing action to keep the masses entertained. Gaisce Raceday features seven races; two of which serve to fight out the much anticipated Flat vs. National Hunt Jockeys’ Challenge. The National Hunt jockeys’ team, headed by Ruby Walsh, is comprised of Barry Geraghty, Andrew McNamara, Davy Condon, Paul Carberry, Davy Russel , Robert Power, Niall Madden and Andrew Lynch, will be facing off to their flat racing colleagues.
The Flat Jockeys’ team is made up of Kevin Manning, Wayne Lordan, Pat Smullen, Fran Berry, Gary Carroll, Chris Hayes and Declan McDonogh, and will be lead into battle by Johnny Murtagh. The teams will compete in two events, and while the competition is in the spirits of good fun and a good cause there is just enough rivalry between the two camps to guarantee a couple of veracious races.

Gaisce Raceday also features an exhibition of Ireland’s racing and breeding industry, a number of live bands including The Champters and Von Shakes, a performance from the Hallelluia Gospel Choir and much more. Designed specifically as a day out for families and young people, Gaisce Raceday at Leopardstown is a great event to occupy your Sunday – be it with a group of friends or the family.

Admission is free for children under the age of fourteen.

While the head of the field – the illustrious Khyber Kim, Muirhead and a bravely fighting Zaynar – was basking in the glow of their successes; the end of the field was not quite so happy. Ruby Walsh, who had won the previous race for Paul Nicholls on Tataniano, was thrown by Celestial Halo when the mount took a fall at the second to last hurdle. Walsh suffered a double fracture in his left arm, which left him unable to ride in the Grand National later on that day.

Champion jockey Tony McCoy was not quite on top of his game in the Aintree Hurdle, landing a fifth place out of a field of eight on Petit Robin for Nicky Henderson.

Distance: 2 miles, 4 furlongs – Winning Time: 4:50.4

F= Fall, NR= Non-Runner