The Willie Mullins-trained Nichols Canyon© Photo Healy Racing
Watering again took place overnight at Punchestown to maintain the current going at good to yielding.
The Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle is the feature event on day three of the Festival meeting, and the battle for the trainer’s championship again comes into focus with Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott both saddling four runners among the 12 declared.
The first three home in the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham are again in the line-up, with Nichols Canyon facing both Lil Rockerfeller and Unowhatimeanhearry.
There is a total of €250,000 in prizemoney up for grabs in this three-mile event which goes to post at 5.30pm.
The Ryanair Novice Chase is the chief supporting event on this eight-race card, and Mullins again supplies the favourite in exciting front-runner Great Field
The La Touche Cup sponsored by Friends First takes place over the cross country course, and the going is good to firm for the banks test.
