Confirmed runners and riders for day one of the Punchestown festival

Envoi Allen and Monkfish are set for a heavyweight clash after they were declared for the Grade 1 Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase on the opening day of the Punchestown festival on Tuesday.

Rachael Blackmore will ride Envoi Allen and Paul Townend, who holds a narrow advantage at the top of the jockeys' championship, has returned from injury in time to partner unbeaten chaser Monkfish.

The seven-year-old won the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and will be joined in the four-runner field by stablemates Colreevy, who also scored at the festival, and Franco De Port.

Punchestown Tuesday card

Unlike Monkfish, Envoi Allen blotted his copybook at Cheltenham when falling on his first start for trainer Henry de Bromhead.

Blackmore and Townend also have leading chances in the William Hill Champion Chase as Ryanair winner Allaho takes on Chacun Pour Soi, who was an odds-on favourite when third in the Cheltenham Festival equivalent. Townend is aboard Chacun Pour Soi with Blackmore on Allaho.

Mullins, who trains Allaho and Chacun Pour Soi, also calls upon Cilaos Emery, while Dan Skelton runs Champion Chase second Nube Negra.

Supreme winner Appreciate It was not declared for the eComm Merchant Solutions Champion Novice Hurdle, but Mullins will still be represented by Blue Lord and Echoes In Rain. The five-runner field is completed by Uhtred, Colonel Mustard and Dewcup.

Read more:

Punchestown Festival 2021: essential information for the Irish racing bonanza

Paul Townend to return from injury at Punchestown with trio of Grade 1 rides

Rachael Blackmore takes over Envoi Allen ride against Monkfish at Punchestown

Title-chasing Rachael Blackmore narrows gap on Paul Townend to four after treble

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