Punchestown Festival News: Chacun Pour Soi to have another crack at Energumene
Willie Mullins has an embarrassment of chasing riches on display on day one of the Punchestown Festival on Tuesday, April 26. Stablemates Energumene and Chacun Pour Soi go head-to-head once more.
Willie Mullins is looking to muller the field in the William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown on Tuesday, sending both Energumene and Chacun Pour Soi to the opening day of the Festival.
There will be no Nicky Henderson's Shishkin of course but the race still looks to be a thrilling one in a bijou field which also includes Henry De Bromhead's Captain Guinness and Envoi Allen.
Gordon Elliott's Andy Dufresne is an intriguing entry, second in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham.
Envoi Allen was once the bright light of Irish jumps racing but his 18/1 general odds for the race suggests he may not be the star of before. Yet, Henry De Bromhead is happy enough with the prep work, saying "We were delighted with Envoi Allen in Cheltenham," said De Bromhead of the Queen Mother third.
Meanwhile, Mullins heads the market for the five runners in the Bective Stud Champion Novice Hurdle with Sir Gerhard brought back up to two miles and a strong favourite.
Bob Olinger steps up to three miles in the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase, going up against Mullins' Capodano who carries the green and gold JP McManus silks.
English raider Millers' Bank is a very interesting runner for the Alex Hales yard, a runaway winner at Aintree and looking to bloody the noses of the hosts.