Russell stresses Percy has much to prove taking on Grade 1 test

Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle | Grade 1 | 4yo+ | 3m | RTE/ATR

During the countdown to Cheltenham, when Presenting Percy was spoken about, so too, invariably, was his handicap mark. Now, though, connections of the massively improved stayer are hoping handicaps are a thing of the past as they step him up to the highest level at Punchestown.

When the BHA handicapping team pegged the six-year-old on 146 for the Pertemps Network Final - 6lb above what was then his Irish rating - trainer Pat Kelly described himself as "like a raging bull", while jockey Davy Russell also bemoaned what both men considered to be unfair treatment.

Then Presenting Percy won easily by three and three-quarter lengths.

Such was the dominance shown that day, Philip Reynolds' young star tackles the Grade 1 Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle off a new Turf Club mark of 159, making him much the highest-rated performer in a prize that has attracted a total of three Cheltenham 2017 heroes, with Penhill - one of four runners in this €100,000 prize for Willie Mullins - and Champagne Classic also in the line-up.

"There's a big difference between being a handicapper and a Grade 1 horse," said Davy Russell on Tuesday.

"The only reason he's running in a Grade 1 is because he can run in a Grade 1 novice. Against senior horses it would be an impossible task.

"He did a marvellous thing at Cheltenham and it was a great achievement. We're now running in a Grade 1 to see if he's up to that level. The owner doesn't want a handicapper. He wants Grade 1 horses.

"I'm hoping he's got one, but we don't know yet. There's no doubt this is a high-class animal but I still think Penhill and Monalee are the ones to beat."

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle winner Penhill leads runner-up Monalee over the final flight

The two horses Russell fears most finished first and second in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. On that occasion Penhill was partnered by Paul Townend but this time Ruby Walsh is on board, leaving Townend to assist Fairyhouse winner Al Boum Photo. The other two Mullins-trained contenders, Tin Soldier and Bon Papa, are partnered by Danny Mullins and Mark Walsh.

The champion trainer said: "Penhill has done very well since going up to three miles. He came out of his Albert Bartlett win well and will like the good to yielding ground.

"We think the extra half mile will suit Al Boum Photo, who is an improving horse, while Tin Soldier and Bon Papa have plenty of improvement to find from their runs at Cheltenham last month."

Gordon Elliott celebrates with Martin Pipe after Champagne Classic's Cheltenham victory in the race named after the former British champion trainerCredit: Grossick Racing Photography 0771

The Gordon Elliott-trained Champagne Classic, like Presenting Percy, is moving out of handicap company following his success off 138 in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Hurdle. However, on his previous outing at Thurles he finished behind both Tin Soldier and Moulin A Vent, the likely outsider in this eight-runner field.

Trainer Noel Meade, who would have run Moulin A Vent at Aintree had he not got cast in his box the night before the race, said: "We've always thought three miles would suit him and we've always thought he was a very good horse - but he's going to need to be to stand a chance in this race."