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Un De Sceaux and Great Field also line up on day one of the Festival
Min and last year’s winner Un De Sceaux are two of three runners for Willie Mullins in the BoyleSports Champion Chase at Punchestown on Tuesday.
The popular Un De Sceaux was a brilliant winner of the two-mile showpiece on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival 12 months ago and has run just twice since – giving Altior a run for his money in the Tingle Creek at Sandown before finishing fifth in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.
Un De Sceaux’s stable companion Min was only fourth 12 months ago, but is an odds-on favourite for this year’s renewal following his scintillating display in the JLT Chase at Aintree earlier this month.
Ruby Walsh has unsurprisingly sided with Min, with Paul Townend partnering Un De Sceaux.
Great Field completes the Mullins trio under Jody McGarvey, with the champion trainer deciding against running Douvan and Footpad.
The JP McManus-owned eight-year-old won the Grade One Ryanair Novice Chase over this course and distance a couple of years ago, but returns with something to prove following successive falls at Cork and Leopardstown.
The six-strong field is completed by Pat Fahy’s Castlegrace Paddy, the Harry Fry-trained British raider Hell’s Kitchen and Ordinary World from Henry de Bromhead’s yard.
