Irish jockey Paul Townend has received a 21-day ban for dangerous riding following the incident approaching the final fence in the Growise Champion Novice Chase today at Punchestown. He has also been ordered to forfeit his riding fee.
The incident occurred during the last race of the day which was won by the Storyteller, ridden by Davy Russell.
Has someone shouted to Paul Townend from the outside of the track? @mickfitzg: "He's just had an absolute moment." pic.twitter.com/qbsEBxwxmK
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 24, 2018
Speaking to RTE after the race, Ruby Walsh felt it may have been a case that the jockey thought he had to go around the fence.
I think Paul Townend thinks he needs to bypass the last. I don't know why he thought that. I don't know what happened.
Meanwhile, on At The Races, former jockey Mick Fitzgerald was sympathetic towards Townend.
Paul Townend is a person. He has made a mistake and he'll feel horrendous. 21 days is a punishment but what's happened to him will last an awful lot longer than that, I can assure you.
The horse also carried out Finian's Oscar and Robbie Power. It was a big win for Gordon Elliot in his race for the Irish Champion trainer.
A 1-2-3 for @gelliott_racing in the most remarkable of circumstances in the Grade 1 Growise Champion Novice Chase... pic.twitter.com/ZYT4vSDwZs
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 24, 2018
