Tony Mullins

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I was standing on Ascot Heath for the Clarence House Chase in January when a tired Il Etait Temps and Paul Townend fell right in front of me at the second last. When horses fall I always look for them to get back on their feet quickly and I am always looking for them to continue with the herd and to check that they are sound. Il Etait Temps did not get up quickly. In fact he stayed down for a considerable amount of time. His jockey, Mr Townend stayed with him. The dreaded screens went up and they stayed up for a good 10 minutes. The horse ambulance arrived and the Ascot veterinary team were heavily present. Paul Townend remained with his horse showing considerable care. The longer the situation went on the more I feared the worse for the horse. I thought back to the Cyrname incident at Ascot which gave me some reassurance but I’d begun to give up hope. Paul Townend eventually emerged from behind the screen and I shouted to him asking if his horse was alright. He gave me the thumbs up and he got into a car to take him back to the weighing room. Seconds later the screens came down and Il Etait Temps walked soundly into the horse ambulance. Such a relieve. This horse went on to be a fantastic winner of this year’s Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival a couple of months later. I cannot possibly believe that Paul Townend would knowingly ride out a horse that he knew was injured. It beggars belief to think that anyone would believe that. That day at Ascot his prime concern was for the welfare and wellbeing of his horse and I find it inconceivable that that behaviour would not be a constant in his character and be the same for every horse that he rides.