'He should be clear favourite' - Conor Fennelly thinks the market has got this race wrong on day one at Punchestown

What’s the most intriguing battle on day one of Punchestown?

Without doubt, the most fascinating clash comes in the Grade 1 William Hill Champion Chase (6.00) when two of the most impressive winners at the Cheltenham Festival in Fact To File and Marine Nationale lock horns for the first time.

Fact To File has been installed as the odds-on favourite, which I find surprising given he's dropping back to two miles for the first time since his bumper days.

Solness will go a frantic gallop and a scenario where Fact To File has to keep tabs on him over this trip is in a different stratosphere to being held up over a slowly run three miles at Leopardstown. It is reminiscent of when Allaho took on Chacun Pour Soi in this race four years ago after a similarly devastating display in the Ryanair and he was flat out the whole way over this trip, and he wasn't exactly slow. 

Championship two-mile chases are a distinctive test and I'm always wary of horses dropping back to tackle them given they will be going faster from the word go than they ever have in their life. If he does manage to do it, he is an exceptional talent, but Marine Nationale came of age over fences at the festival and he should be clear favourite, especially on the drying ground.

What about the other Grade 1s?

Willie Mullins seems to have the two other Grade 1s largely sewn up and the pair he doesn't train in the Grade 1 KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle (4.15) are three-figure prices.

Kopek Des Bordes should preserve his unbeaten record if he reproduces something close to his Supreme win and his jumping remains intact. Salvator Mundi was much improved at Aintree, but I'd be slightly sceptical of that form given Romeo Coolio was below par, while Irancy and Karbau complete Mullins' vice-like grip on the race.

The Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (4.50) is more intriguing as Mullins will need to alter his tactics on Ballyburn, who lost concentration amid keenness when held up in the Brown Advisory, ultimately putting in an error-strewn display to finish fifth as 4-7 favourite.

Paul Townend could allow him to stride on to keep his mind on the obstacles, which should see him reverse form with Lecky Watson, who was able to use his turn of foot from an ideal position in a slowly run race at Cheltenham. However, Impaire Et Passe bounced right back to form at Aintree last time and represents a big danger, while 2024 Supreme winner Slade Steel and Stellar Story also hold claims.

Any fancies in the supporting races?

Serienmond should go close in the 2m½f handicap hurdle (3.40) for Gavin Cromwell if he can get over his exertions at Fairyhouse seven days ago when he shaped best having been left with plenty to do three out in a race dominated by those up with the pace.

Serienmond15:40 Punchestown

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Jky: Conor Stone-Walsh (3lb)Tnr: Gavin Cromwell

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