Willie Mullins trainer of Senewalk© Photo Healy Racing
One time Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite Senewalk bids to redeem his reputation when he runs for the first time since November in the Punchestown For Events Maiden Hurdle.
The Walk In The Park gelding went off the evens favourite on his debut for Willie Mullins at this venue last winter.
He failed by some way to come up to expectations then, finishing a well-beaten sixth behind Moulin A Vent, after failing to impress with his hurdling.
However, Mullins was of a mind to think something more serious was amiss in the aftermath and mentioned the possibility of a procedure being carried out to help the five-year-old with his breathing.
Senewalk sports a first-time tongue-strap here as he is stepped up to three miles. He did win over nearly a mile and six furlongs on the level in France, so he has definitely got stamina in his armoury.
In the case of the Closutton representative in the Kildare Hunt Club Maiden Hurdle, the absence from action has been a lot more lengthy than in the case of Senewalk. Herminio has been off the track for 710 days to be exact. He won on that appearance, over nine furlongs at Lyon La Soie in France.
The son of New Approach returns to Ireland now, as he actually began his career as a two-year-old here in 2014 for Pat Delaney.
Ruby Walsh will wear the colours of Wicklow Bloodstock Ltd on Herminio and as is the situation with regard to Senewalk, market movements should be revealing.
Mullins and Walsh also have a strong hand in the opening La Touche Restaurant Novice Chase with Townshend looking strong, despite a fall here at the Festival last time.
