Townend and Ashdale Cruise Master, the combination whose bid for Rolex Grand Slam glory in America ended so abruptly last month, won the HSBC World Cup event at Tattersalls near Dublin.

The Yorkshireman had suffered injuries to his shoulder, chest and ribs after parting company with Ashdale during the cross-country phase of the Rolex Kentucky event.

He was knocked unconscious and airlifted to hospital, but after beginning his comeback at the Brigstock International event in Northamptonshire last weekend, Townend triumphed emphatically in Ireland.

He led after the dressage, maintained his advantage throughout the cross-country and then incurred just two penalties during the showjumping finale.

Townend won ahead of his British colleague Mary King on Apache Sauce, with Ireland's Michael Ryan third, while another British challenger Lucy Wiegersman was fourth, and world champion Zara Phillips 11th on High Kingdom.

Had Townend won at Kentucky, he would have become only the second rider after Pippa Funnell to land the £230,000 ($358,000) Grand Slam for winning consecutive Badminton, Burghley and Kentucky events.

But the 26-year-old, who was crowned Badminton and Burghley champion last year, is now back on course towards his main aim of 2010 which is selection for Britain'steam for the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, which begin in September.

The British squad is likely to be announced in mid-July, with Townend set for further key competitions during the next few weeks at Bramham and then Luhmuhlen, Germany, which is the third of this year's HSBC Classics events, a series he won last year and collected more than £90,000 ($130,000).

Townend said: "This feels fantastic.

"It's good to be back and winning again at this level after what happened in Kentucky.

"It's good for me, for the horse and for the owners. Ashdale Cruise Master performed brilliantly in every phase, and led from start to finish.

"I am still riding my way back to full fitness.
 
"I ache every morning, but I get out of bed and get going.

"When I'm riding, I don't think about the aches and pains.

"This is what I do, and this result is very definitely business as usual. I am back on course for hitting the targets I set myself at the start of the summer."


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April 2010: Townend not fit enough to defend Badminton title
April 2010: Townend Grand Slam dream ends after he is forced to withdraw
April 2010: Townend airlifted to hospital after knocked unconscious but may compete tomorrow
April 2010: Townend's Grand Slam hopes still alive after first day in Kentucky
April 2010: Grand Slam on for Townend after marathon journey