Paul Townend: 'I had to stick with Energumene, he's a Champion Chase winner'

Tuesday: 5.25 Punchestown
William Hill Champion Chase (Grade 1) | 2m | 5yo+ | RTE2/RTV

Paul Townend admitted before the Champion Chase that picking between Chacun Pour Soi and Energumene was one of the toughest calls he has ever had to make. He got it right, so he was never going to change his mind for the rematch.

The Energumene we used to know was enthusiastic and exuberant. He wore his heart on his sleeve and got on with things. We saw a new side to him at Cheltenham, though, relaxing early at the back of the field early as Townend tried something different to get Shishkin beaten. That worked too so now we know the Champion Chase hero is not just a one trick pony. He can adapt to whatever way the race unfolds.

Despite storming up the hill to end Willie Mullins' wait for a first Champion Chase, Energumene is not facing an open goal here according to Townend, who still has a deep respect for Chacun Pour Soi, especially at Punchestown.

Townend said: "Energumene was obviously very impressive at Cheltenham, and Chacun Pour Soi got rid of Patrick down the back straight. Everyone knows how good Chacun is around Punchestown and around Ireland in general so it will be a massive clash."

Speaking in his Ladbrokes blog, he added: "I had to stick with Energumene, he's a Champion Chase winner and I would find it very hard to abandon him. He's the younger horse as well and I think he's my best ride on day one. It will be a fascinating race and I think this along with the novice hurdle will be huge races. I just hope I have picked the right ones."

The main concern for Energumene is the conditions. He has never raced on any ground that had good in the description and, while Mullins confessed that softer ground would be more to his liking, he does not have any real concerns.

Mullins said: "Energumene is in great form and has come out of Cheltenham in really good order. I would have liked more rain for him but I'm sure the ground will be fine. They always water very well at Punchestown so I don't have any concerns on that front."

Energumene is six from seven over fences, with his sole defeat arriving in that memorable Clarence House showdown with Shishkin where he touched an in-running low of 1.13 on Betfair.

Willie Mullins: 'Chacun Pour Soi has an awful lot of things in his favour'

In the immediate aftermath of Chacun Pour Soi's emphatic victory in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at Leopardstown in February, Willie Mullins was asked to pick between him and Energumene, to which he replied: "I would put this fella [Chacun Pour Soi] in a different league all the time. Obviously he's getting older, but I think he's a star. He just hasn't shown his best in England."

That trend of not producing his best in Britain continued in the Champion Chase last month when he got rid of Patrick Mullins five fences from home when still in front, but Mullins is not giving up on a revival here.

Ireland's champion trainer said: "Chacun Pour Soi has an awful lot of things in his favour and he is still officially rated higher than Energumene. He has won at this track twice already and it's one that suits his style of racing. He seemed to be going well until he made that bad mistake at Cheltenham which put him out of the race. He has every chance."

Willie's son Patrick retains the ride despite the unfortunate exit at Cheltenham and he is looking forward to being reunited with the ten-year-old, who has six Grade 1 wins on his CV.

Patrick Mullins said: "I'm delighted to be back on Chacun Pour Soi at a track where he has put in some of his best performances. I think we can give the new kid on the block something to think about."

Henry de Bromhead: 'Envoi Allen is so classy and is in super form'

If you were told this time last year Envoi Allen would be as big as 20-1 to beat Energumene and Chacun Pour Soi you might have laughed, but the dual Cheltenham Festival winner has had an indifferent campaign and has 13 lengths to make up on Energumene from their clash in the Champion Chase.

Envoi Allen: trainer Henry de Bromhead hoping his star will be suited by better groundCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The initial plan was for Envoi Allen to tackle the Celebration Chase at Sandown on Saturday but the ground was deemed too quick there so Henry de Bromhead has chosen to stay at home instead.

De Bromhead said: "We were delighted with Envoi Allen at Cheltenham. He jumped really well and travelled well. His wind just isn’t as good now as it was so I’d say the ground just caught him out.

"We’re hoping the better ground will suit him. He’s in super form. He is so classy. I think any trip would nearly suit him. He’s got such a high cruising speed, and he showed at Cheltenham that jumping and travelling at that pace isn’t a problem. We’re really happy with him."

De Bromhead also saddles Captain Guinness and added: "The extra half-mile at Aintree caught him out so we’ll go back to two miles with him. We’re happy to go again to Punchestown. It’s always a chance but he seems in good form."

Gordon Elliott: 'It's a big ask for Andy Dufresne against the big two'

The field is completed by the Grand Annual runner-up Andy Defresne, who was backed from double figures 48 hours earlier into 100-30 favourite for the big Cheltenham Festival handicap.

He couldn't reel in Global Citizen there, but there was no shame in that given the winner was getting 19lb from him.

Gordon Elliott said: "Andy Dufresne is in good form and ran well at Cheltenham. He came out of that race in good order and should run well again, although it's a big ask against the likes of Energumene and Envoi Allen."

Cards and betting for Punchestown on Tuesday

Tuesday's Punchestown previews:

Big-race analysis: 'These are Chacun Pour Soi's terms and conditions and he looks the value option' [Members' Club]

4.15 Punchestown: 'I really wanted to go two miles' - is Sir Gerhard a live Champion Hurdle hope?

4.50 Punchestown: In-form Glan poised to bag another big handicap for Elliott, McManus and Walsh

6.35 Punchestown: 'It's all systems go' - De Bromhead hoping Bob Olinger shines over longer trip

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