Five riders ready to shine at the Punchestown festival

With a host of top-quality action on offer over the course of next week's five-day Punchestown festival, we look at the jockeys worth keeping on the right side of . . .

Ruby Walsh/Paul Townend

This meeting is usually all about Willie Mullins, so naturally his number one and two riders are going to be in the mix for top jockey honours.

Townend was leading rider last year when Walsh was injured and will be looking to make amends for last season's disaster on Al Boum Photo. Having missed the meeting in 2018, Walsh will be eager to make up for lost time too.

Patrick Mullins: often picks up key winners for his fatherCredit: Patrick McCann

Patrick Mullins

He has played a crucial role at the festival for his father Willie over the last couple of years, none more so than when winning the Punchestown Champion Hurdle on Wicklow Brave two years ago to help secure his father the trainers' championship.

Mullins is sure to pick up plenty of good rides throughout the week, and is always worth a second look when riding in the big races – he won the Champion Chase on Un De Sceaux last year.

Mark Walsh

Walsh enjoyed an excellent Cheltenham Festival, headlined by the Champion Hurdle victory of Espoir D’Allen in the JP McManus silks.

While the star hurdler will not be in action, owner McManus is sure to be strongly represented over the week – he is regularly top owner at the meeting – and Walsh could be in for plenty of good rides with the injured Barry Geraghty on the sidelines until the summer.

Robbie Power: could be boosted by support from Colin TizzardCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Robbie Power

Leading jockey at the meeting in 2017 and will be backed again by the powerful Jessica Harrington stable.

Should Colin Tizzard send over any runners then this will only strengthen the likelihood of Power enjoying another successful week.

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