Outlander seems in great form for Grade 3 test says Gordon Elliott

4.10 Punchestown
Irish Daily Star Chase (Grade 3) | 3m1f | ATR

Snow Falcon and Road To Respect were battling for favouritism but trainer Noel Meade has withdrawn both runners having cited concerns about the ground being too fast.

Gordon Elliott is also on weather watch but is hoping to unleash Outlander, who he reports to be in rude health.

He said: "Outlander seems in great form and we'd like him to take his chance. "We'll have to monitor the weather, though, and see what that does."

Outlander's owner Gigginstown House Stud have won this race six times in seven years, including with Don Cossack in 2015, and will also be represented by Sub Lieutenant.

Gold Cup hero Don Cossack the big attraction at RoR National Championships

Sub Lieutenant was a busy boy at Galway, finishing fifth in the Galway Plate before winning a chase over course and distance four days later.

Willie Mullins has yet to win this Grade 3 and is not overly confident about Ballycasey breaking his duck.

"I worry about Ballycasey getting home over this trip against this sort of opposition," he admitted, adding: "He'll love the ground though."

The field is completed by Sandymount Duke, who is turned out again quickly having finished down the field in the Irish Cesarewitch at Navan on Sunday.

Mitchouka bids to make amends for late exit

Sizing Europe won the Grade 3 Buck House Novice Chase (3.40) in 2009 and Henry de Bromhead will be hoping the prolific Ornua can follow in his footsteps, while Classic Theatre also represents the Knockeen trainer.

Perhaps the most interesting runner of all is four-year-old Mitchouka, who jumped beautifully on his chasing debut at Gowran Park before crashing out at the last when having the race at his mercy.

Trainer Gordon Elliott said: "I thought Mitchouka jumped brilliantly at Gowran. It was just one of those things at the last and hopefully it won't have affected his confidence. He seems in good form."

Alelchi Inois did the business for Willie Mullins in 2014 and he puts his faith in Cadmium this time around.

"Cadmium has his chance but he has it all to do to reverse recent form with Ornua," said the trainer.

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