Jockey Paul Townend wipes away tears after winning Cheltenham race in honour of late pal Michael O’Sullivan

PAUL TOWNEND paid tribute to late jockey Michael O’Sullivan after winning the first race at Cheltenham Festival.

The champion jockey crossed the line in first place on Kopek Des Bordes.

The race was re-named the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices Hurdle in tribute to the jockey who passed away last month.

Townend patted his armband in tribute to O’Sullivan and was in tears at the end of the race.

O’Sullivan died aged just 24 after falling at Thurles Racecourse in Ireland on February 6.

The late jockey – remembered as a “beautiful person” by iconic former rider and close family friend Barry Geraghty – was airlifted to the Cork University Hospital after the incident, which involved five horses.

Hundreds gathered for his funeral at St John the Baptist Church in Cork, including legendary jockey Ruby Walsh.

Townend choked up in his post-race interview after being asked about O’Sullivan.

Kopek Des Bordes owner Charlie McCarthy was also overcome with emotion after undergoing surgery for kidney cancer two weeks ago.

He said following the win: “I won’t cry, but I’ll tell you one thing, I’m on cloud nine and is there a bigger cloud to be on?

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“I just can’t get over it, I’m here with my sons, to win at Cheltenham, the Novices’ Supreme Hurdle with everything I’ve been through, it’s a dream come true and the dream is not finished yet…

“I’m trying to promote National Hunt racing, that the small man can have a say in it.

“And I’m no small man, but I am a small man, and to be fair about it, National Hunt is what I love and I’m trying to promote that.”