Fayonagh seeks Grade 1 double after Cheltenham success

6.05 PunchestownRacing Post Champion I.N.H Flat Race (Grade 1) | 2m, 4-7yo | RTE2/ATR

Fayonagh, who came from well off the pace with a storming run to land the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last month, will be attempting to become the third horse to complete the Cheltenham Festival-Punchestown festival Grade 1 bumper double.

The feat was achieved by Cousin Vinny in 2008 and Champagne Fever in 2012 and the Gordon Elliott-trained Fayonagh, who faces six rivals, will be bidding to become the first mare to land the prize since Refinement scored for Jonjo O'Neill in 2005.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Cousin Vinny and Champagne Fever, has sent out seven winners of the event including the last three winners of the race - Shaneshill (2014), Bellshill (2015) and Blow By Blow a year ago.

He is represented by dual winner Carter McKay who ran below expectations in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. Patrick Mullins, who rides Carter McKay, will be bidding to win the race for the fifth time.

Winner of both his starts at Market Rasen and Killarney, the John McConnell-trained Go Another One is returning from a 249-day absence.

Gary Moore's Dell Oro, who won on his debut at Fontwell last month, will be attempting to become the first British-trained winner of the race since The Liquidator scored for David Pipe four years ago. He will also be bidding to become the first four-year-old to score since Hidden Universe was successful in 2010.

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Carter McKay
He was disappointing on good ground at Cheltenham last time and, while he's in good order, he's not going to have his ideal conditions as he'd prefer plenty of ease.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Paloma Blue
The drying ground will be very different compared with what it was when he won at Fairyhouse in January but I don't see that being a big problem. He's a chaser in the making and we're hoping he runs well.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Poli Roi and Fayonagh
Fayonagh came out of Cheltenham very well. She was very good there and we're hoping for more of the same. She doesn't set the world on fire at home and keeps her best for the track. Poli Roi should be fine on good, safe ground. He's more of a two-and-a-half mile to three mile horse but you need stamina to win a bumper at Punchestown and he should run well.

Kate Harrington, rider of Someday
He was very keen when he won on soft ground at Leopardstown in February and we think he will appreciate the better ground. We think he's a very good horse.

Gary Moore, trainer of Dell Oro
I love him. He's one of the nicest horses I've had in a long time. What he beat at Fontwell, I don't know but he can only improve.