TRAINER Rebecca Curtis’ decision to book Paul Townend for her runners at Ffos Las on Saturday paid out in spades as the classy Irishman won not only the Betway West Wales National on 16/1 shot Bob Ford but also the opening novices’ hurdle on 12/1 chance Glenwood Star. Indeed, he failed by only a neck to complete a stable treble when 4/5 favourite Captain McGinley was just denied by Maxanisi in the last.

The going was very heavy and the fact that only two completed the course in the National tells its own story. It would have been just one had Callum Whillans not considered his options after pulling up Gorgehous Lliege and then asked him to jump (clamber over) the last when dog-tired. He was criticised in some quarters for this but had no regrets and it goes without saying that each-way backers were relieved.

The race was run in a time very nearly a minute and a half slower than standard and some would say it should not have been run at all.

However, that should not detract from Townend’s fine effort. Asking the hitherto disappointing Bob Ford merely to lob along in front, he showed himself to be an outright master of pace in the prevailing conditions.

Bob Ford had Gorgehous Lliege for company virtually throughout the three and a half miles, finally shaking him off after the 18th. As all of the others were pulled up (apart from Firebird Flyer, who unseated), Bob Ford just kept on steadily and left the distinct impression that five miles would not have bothered him as long as no one asked him to quicken. It was an extraordinary display.

Curtis was understandably full of praise for the former champion jockey. “Bob Ford normally fights his jockeys but he seems to have clicked with Paul, who let him run his race without trying to hike him back,” she said. “His next target will have to be the Eider Chase or the Midlands Grand National because he is ground dependent.”

Townend rode a sharply contrasting race in the opener, making up six lengths from the last to get Glenwood Star up in the dying strides. The runner-up touched 1.02 on Betfair; quite why people do this when, even in these straitened times, there is better, cast-iron value in the High Street is hard to fathom, but still it happens.

Whillans remained calm as the mini-storm broke around him.

“I had a look over my shoulder and knew the others had all pulled up. I knew I had time to give him a breather and take second place,” he said.

Those who think he pulled up for real and then wondered what connections would make of £8,000 plus floating away on the breeze are cynics, no doubt. (Which is not the same as saying they are wrong, of course.) The stewards seemed happy enough.