Townend excited by King Rasko Grey’s chasing prospects

Paul Townend has nominated King Rasko Grey as his horse to follow for this season, with the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festival hero shortly set to embark on a career over fences.

As usual Willie Mullins’ number one rider will have a plethora of top-class horses at his disposal this winter, including the likes of Champion Hurdle star Lossiemouth and Cheltenham Gold Cup champion Gaelic Warrior.

However, having been impressed with how Audrey Turley’s six-year-old was able to showcase different attributes when winning his two Grade Ones in the spring, Townend is looking forward to more great days in the silks he successfully donned aboard the late Galopin Des Champs on plenty of occasions.

Townend told Betway: “At this time of year, people are always asking me for a horse to follow, and it’s so difficult because there are so many exciting horses at Willie’s, and it’s never easy to pick just one.

“King Rasko Grey would be the one I think I’m really looking forward to if I had to pick one, and even though nothing is set in stone, I’d imagine he’ll go chasing this year.

“He rides like a chaser and feels like a horse that should improve again for fences, and he’s a horse that kept on progressing throughout the season last year, so he’s a very exciting horse to look forward to.

“I really liked the way he got down and dirty to win at Punchestown at the end of the season, and that attitude will stand him in good stead for going chasing.

“It’s never easy to predict which way the winner of the Turners (Novices’ Hurdle) will go trip wise, because you need to have a turn of foot to win that, and I think he could go either way with regards to trip.

“He had the pace in the Turners to be in control of the race, and then he outstayed them at Punchestown, so I just think he’s very straightforward and he’s a horse I’m really excited about this year.”

Townend has also advised keeping onside new French recruit Magnifico Conti, who has provided all the right signs since his arrival at Closutton.

The Auteuil winner brings useful form from France to the table and the 36-year-old is intrigued to see where the four-year-old will fit into the picture this term, while also expecting him to thrive with time and experience.

“I sat on a horse called Magnifico Conti the other day, and he felt like a proper racehorse,” continued Townend.

“He’s a fine, big four-year-old that won at Auteuil back in February, so he won’t be a novice for the full season, and it will be interesting to see what plan Willie and the team come up with for him.

“He’s a horse that just felt like he had the potential to be special, and although I’d be advising people to keep him onside this year, I think we’ll really see the best of him next year and beyond as he grows up and strengthens even more.

“The form of that Auteuil race is working out really well, with the second (Darby O’Gill) going to Gordon Elliott, and the third (Teen Spirit) winning a Listed race over in France, so Magnifico Conti beating them both with relative ease looks a nice piece of form for sure.

“He hasn’t done any real fast work yet, but even just cantering him round, he feels exciting, and he’s definitely one for the notebook, I’d say.”