Penhill leads Closutton’s charge

WILLIE MULLINS looks set for another successful day at Punchestown today, with Penhill the pick of his incredible seven runners in this afternoon’s Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle. The champion trainer claimed this Grade One prize in four consecutive years with the brilliant Quevega, but has not struck gold since the last of her triumphs in 2013. However, Penhill, who returned from almost a year on the sidelines to claim his second Cheltenham Festival success in the Stayers’ Hurdle last month, should put his handler back on the roll of honour. Paul Townend partners Penhill, while the trainer’s son and assistant Patrick Mullins keeps the ride on Bacardys, who fell at the final flight in the same Cheltenham contest. Mullins junior said: ‘Penhill came out of Cheltenham very well. Holly Conte who rides him all the time is very happy with him. He did get beat here last year, so that’s a concern, but other than that it’s all systems go. Former Champion Hurdler Faugheen (David Mullins), Yorkhill (Robbie Power), Shaneshill (Danny Mullins), Bleu Et Rouge (Mark Walsh) and Bapaume (Noel Fehily) complete the Closutton team. Henry de Bromhead’s Identity Thief is back in action 12 days on from winning the Ryanair Stayers Hurdle at Aintree, while Gordon Elliott runs Diamond Cauchois and Lieutenant Colonel in a bid to stop Mullins claiming the €162,250 winner’s prize. Mullins also fields the favourite in the day’s other Grade One with Footpad in the Ryanair Novice Chase. Daryl Jacob is reunited with the six-year-old, who has carried all before him over fences so far this season, winning each of his four starts including a hat-trick of Grade Ones. Jacob will get back on board Footpad for the first time since steering him to success on his chasing debut at Navan in November.