Rating Paul Townend's short-priced trio of Grade 1 rides at Punchestown

After being sidelined for three weeks with a foot injury, Ireland's champion jockey Paul Townend has won his fitness battle ahead of the five-day bonanza of racing at the Punchestown festival, and he is straight back into the thick of the action with rides in each of the three Grade 1s on day one.

As stable jockey to Willie Mullins, Townend has an enviable string of superstars to choose from during the week and starts off with three at short prices, although each of them face a difficult task. We take a look at the chances of each.

Forecast odds: 5-4

After leaving Blue Lord trailing in his wake on Appreciate It on his last two starts, Townend is back aboard the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned six-year-old for the week's first Grade 1, which looks like being a shootout between two Willie Mullins-trained runners.

Ballymore winner Bob Olinger was also too good for Blue Lord in the Lawlor's of Naas in January, but this five-runner field gives him a good chance to prove his own credentials at the highest level.

Paul Townend on Blue Lord after winning his maiden at Punchestown last yearCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The danger is that he faces another potential superstar in stablemate Echoes In Rain. She has looked impressive in Grade 2 company, and her eight-length beating of Belfast Banter at Naas looks even better in hindsight given that horse went on to complete a Cheltenham and Aintree double.

Echoes In Rain is a shade of odds-on to come out on top, but the fact Townend has opted to ride Blue Lord could be a telling indicator.

Rating: four out of five

Punchestown tips and odds: six dark horses including an interesting 33-1 shot

Forecast odds: 5-4

Chacun Pour Soi has looked like a monster on home soil for the past two years and while a below-par run in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham was disappointing, he remains the one to beat back in familiar surroundings.

At the last Punchestown festival in 2019, Chacun Pour Soi dished out a comfortable beating to Defi De Seuil, who at that point was at the peak of his powers.

Chacun Pour Soi: has won four Grade 1s since moving to Mullins' Closutton yard in 2019Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Stablemate Allaho, who will be ridden by Townend's champion jockey rival Rachael Blackmore, provides intriguing opposition. The emphatic Ryanair Chase winner drops back in trip with Mullins eager to test the water at two miles.

Unlike the other two Grade 1s, this does not appear to be a two-horse race. The Dan Skelton-trained Nube Negra finished ahead of Chacun Pour Soi at Cheltenham, although it would be a surprise if Townend's mount does not turn that form around.

Four out of five

Forecast odds: evens

The excitement among racing fans is palpable as Monkfish and Envoi Allen, two of the most exciting novices of recent times, square off in a clash many expect to be repeated in next year's Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Townend has partnered Monkfish to victory in each of his last seven starts and the seven-year-old has been imperious over fences this season, although his sketchiest effort did come last time out in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.

Monkfish: the dual Cheltenham Festival winner is unbeaten over fencesCredit: Tim Goode (Getty Images)

Nonetheless, he did more than enough to win, whereas Envoi Allen made the first misstep of his previously flawless career when falling in the Marsh on his first start for Henry de Bromhead.

Monkfish has proven stamina over three miles, while Envoi Allen is tackling this trip for the first time. That fact gives an ever so slight edge to Townend's mount, but this race is extremely tough to call.

Three out of five

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Read more on day one at Punchestown:

4.15 Punchestown: Paul Townend puts faith in Blue Lord for Grade 1 clash with Echoes In Rain

4.50 Punchestown: Willie Mullins takes aim with seven of the 25 runners in €50,000 handicap hurdle

5.25 Punchestown: Willie Mullins hopes two-mile experiment can make a champion of Allaho

6.30 Punchestown: Envoi Allen v Monkfish, the heavyweight showdown we have all been waiting for

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