Punchestown Day 2 Preview: Hard to oppose Willie Mullins in the Gold Cup

Later today sees sees the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup take centre stage in the racing world, with a top class field lining up at 5:55PM.

There were 13 entries abd all had great stories to tell but the field was eventually cut down to six names. Only five will go to to post after the withdrawal of Hewick this morning.

The Shark Hanlon trained horse, winner of The Galway Plate and US Grand National, was going very well when fallling at the second last in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

However he needed to see some good in the ground if he was to line up and will instead be targeted at one of two valuable races on Saturday's card in Sandown.

When looking for a starting point in this race, look to trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend, who are aiming to make it a double and capture the Punchestown Gold Cup having won the Cheltenham Gold Cup at last month’s festival with Galopin Des Champs.

Bravemansgame, who finished second to Galopin Des Champs, will be aiming to reverse the result, having decided to target Punchestown after missing the Aintree meeting.

Envoi Allen has been entered into the field with Rachael Blackmore having ridden the horse to victory in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and she will be hopeful of adding to her trophy cabinet which includes a Cheltenham Gold Cup from 2022 when she won aboard A Plus Tard, who pulled up in this year’s running of the race.

The race preceding the Ladbrokes Gold Cup sees Gaelic Warrior looking to get back to winning ways having finished second behind Impaire Et Passe in the Ballymore Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

That was over 2 miles and 5 furlongs and the Willie Mullins trained and Rich Ricci owned gelding steps up to 3 miles here and is a an evens favourite to take this valuable Grade 1. 

In opposition is Affordable Fury from the Noel Meade yard, who was very close second at huge price in the Albert Bartlett Hurdle at Cheltenham. This was over today's distance, so unlike the fav he is seems a guaranteed stayer.

Salvador Ziggy steps up to graded company but was a credible second over this trip in handicap company last time out and is another that could pose a threat.