Katie Walsh so happy to be back on festival heroine Relegate

6.05 Punchestown
Racing Post Champion I.N.H. Flat Race for the Conyngham Cup | 2m70yds | Grade 1 | ATR/RTE2

Willie Mullins sent out the first, second, third and fifth in the Cheltenham Festival's Champion Bumper. Katie Walsh found herself on the right one then and, as all four horses now reoppose at Punchestown, she believes she is on the right one again.

The Walsh-ridden Relegate came from what looked a distinctly unpromising position to steal the Cheltenham championship.

Relegate flashed home under Katie Walsh to win at CheltenhamCredit: Mark Cranham

The mare is now asked to confirm form with stable companions Carefully Selected, Tornado Flyer and Blackbow, plus the Cheltenham sixth Felix Desjy, whose trainer Gordon Elliott also saddles Getaway John and Rapid Escape.

"She has been a real star horse this season," said Walsh of Relegate.

"She might not be the tallest horse but she doesn't ride small, as she has plenty of width and a huge stride. Although she finished well to win at Cheltenham, she doesn't have to be ridden that way as she was handy enough when she won at Leopardstown the time before.

"I'm looking forward to riding her again and I definitely wouldn't swap her for anything else."

Assessing his challenge, Mullins - successful in six of the last ten runnings - said: "Relegate has kept on improving. She came out of Cheltenham well and has to have an outstanding chance. The Tuesday rain will help her.

"Carefully Selected just failed to make all at Cheltenham and that form puts him very much in the picture. Tornado Flyer stayed on well when third at Cheltenham and, with a little improvement, he'll have a realistic chance

"Patrick thinks Blackbow is better than he ran at Cheltenham and decided to stick with him."

Asked about his trio, Elliott said: "Felix Desjy ran well in the Cheltenham bumper considering he raced a bit keenly. He's been in good form since.

"Getaway John is a nice horse with a bright future. He's improving and probably needs to improve again.

"Rapid Escape was a bit disappointing last time but is in better form now."

Meade dares to take on title contenders

Going up against the Mullins and Elliott battalions is Noel Meade, who sends Where Eagles Dare and Young Ted.

Meade said: "Young Ted won well last time, although he's taking on older horses this time. He seems to be a horse with plenty of pace, so we decided to give him a shot at this big prize.

"Where Eagles Dare is probably more of a staying type but he was impressive when winning at Limerick and we think he handles any ground."

Seeking to score for Britain in a contest that carries the famous old Conyngham Cup title for the first time is Dorking Boy, an easy Market Rasen winner for red-hot trainer Tom Lacey.

"We don't know what we have, except that we do know we have a good horse," said Lacey.

"It's an ambitious call to run him but we're going there aiming to win. Whether he will be good enough, time will tell."

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