TOP DUO’S PUNCH DATE
UN DE SCEAUX and Fox Norton clash in the highlight of today’s superb day-one card at the Punchestown Festival.
The pair lock horns in a fascinating renewal of the BoyleSports Champion Chase .
Willie Mullins’s Un De Sceaux is three from three this season and looked better than ever when dominating his rivals in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last month.
The Closutton handler is positive despite a drop in trip and Mullins said: “I thought he won well at Cheltenham and dropping back to two miles shouldn’t be any problem.
“We would prefer some ease in it but I don’t think better ground is a huge issue.”
Fox Norton was narrowly denied by Special Tiara in a pulsating climax to the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham before running away with the Melling Chase at Aintree. Colin Tizzard is happy to send his seven-year-old into battle once more after he missed a chunk of the season with injury.
He said: “Two of the best runs of his life have been at Cheltenham and Aintree on good ground so I don’t think that will be a problem.
“I know he’s done Cheltenham and Aintree but he did have three months off during the winter so I think he’s still a fresh horse.
“It’s a Grade One and a proper race. We’ll have to be right on our game to win but the others will have to be right on their game to beat us.”
God’s Own caused an upset when seeing off Vautour to claim this prize 12 months ago and looks to shock again.
Earlier in the card Gordon Elliott is keeping his fingers crossed Cheltenham hero Labaik will again put his best foot forward in the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle.
Having refused to race four times in his flat and jumps career, the grey looked a reformed character when running out a brilliant winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Elliott said: “Everyone knows at this stage if he jumps off on terms he has a massive engine.
“All we can do is hope he’s on another going day.”
Labaik engages in a fascinating rematch with Cheltenham runner-up Melon, one of three contenders for Mullins, who also saddles Cilaos Emery and Bunk Off Early, while Tizzard’s Aintree winner Pingshou heads the British challenge.