Wednesday 25 April 2018 11:45, UK
Paul Townend has apologised for what he described as a 'split-second reaction' after events at Punchestown on Tuesday.
Townend tried to manoeuvre Al Boum Photo across the track approaching the last fence in the Growise Champion Novice Chase and in doing so ended up taking both himself and Finian's Oscar out of the race.
"I thought I heard a shout and that the last fence was being bypassed," Townend said on Wednesday. "It was a split-second reaction. I wish to apologise to connections and to punters. I'd like to leave this behind me and move on with today's rides."
The Punchestown stewards have also released more information on the incident at the last fence, for which Townend was given a 21-day ban.
In a statement released on Wednesday they said:
"In his evidence, R.M. Power outlined what occurred. He said that he was coming to win his race before the last and was carried out. He described the incident as unfortunate and said he had no idea why it happened. He said he was not aware of any reason which would indicate that the fence was being bypassed.
"In his evidence, Paul Townend said that he was riding with his head down between the last two fences and heard roaring on his left which caught his attention. He thought he had to bypass the fence but didn't know which side to bypass on. He panicked and commenced his move to bypass the fence on the right side but then realised there was nothing on the fence to indicate a bypass was needed and tried to correct his actions but it was too late.
"He accepted in hindsight that there were no bypass procedures in place. He said he made a genuine mistake and apologised for what occurred."
Townend has four rides at Punchestown on Wednesday including Killultagh Vic in the feature Grade One Coral Punchestown Gold Cup.
