Touche! Sword Fighter out to cut a dash with first hurdles success

7.15 Punchestown
La Touche Restaurant Rated Novice Hurdle | 4yo+ | 2m4f80yds | ATR

Almost a year on from his battling front-running win in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, Sword Fighter will be seeking a first victory over hurdles in this six-runner novice event.

Also successful in the Group 2 Curragh Cup at the Curragh last year, the Joseph O'Brien-trained four-year-old ran his best race over hurdles on his most recent start when third over two miles and a furlong on good ground at Ballinrobe.

And O'Brien is hoping similar conditions and a three-furlong step up in distance will help Sword Fighter's cause under Mark Walsh.

"He's in good form," he reported on Sunday. "He appreciated the better ground at Ballinrobe, and similar ground and the longer trip should suit."

Westland Row and Jamie Codd on the way to maiden hurdle success at DownpatrickCredit: Patrick McCann

Gordon Elliott is represented by Westland Row, who won a 2m3f maiden at Downpatrick hurdle on his most recent start last month, while Noel Meade runs Clara Sorrento, a maiden hurdle winner over an extended two miles two furlongs at Clonmel in March.

Elliott said: "Westland Row won well last time and, while this is a better race, we're looking forward to a good run."

Meade said of Clara Sorrento: "He stayed on well over a shorter trip last time after getting a bit outpaced. The longer distance should suit him and good ground should be okay."

Hidden Charmer, a Kilbeggan maiden winner over the trip, Miss Mardan, winner of a bumper and a 2m maiden hurdle, and Indian Court, placed on three of his six starts over hurdles, complete the line-up.

Sexton back in action after cocaine ban

Former champion conditional Kevin Sexton returns to action at Punchestown on Monday after spending six months on the sidelines for testing positive for a metabolite of cocaine at the Galway festival last year.

Sexton was champion conditional in Ireland in 2013-14 with 22 winners and had five more the following season, when he had his biggest win on Balbriggan in the Troytown Chase.

He received a two-year ban for the failed drugs test, but the final 18 months were deferred as he did not test positive during the past six months.

Sexton could look to fellow rider Keith Donoghue for inspiration, as he returned to the saddle to ride a winner at Downpatrick last Friday after battling weight issues that almost called premature time on his career.