Can Livelovelaugh reproduce Aintree heroics in €80,000 handicap chase?

7.00 Punchestown
Guinness Handicap Chase (Grade A) | 2m5½f | 5yo+ | RTV

It is not uncommon for horses to perform a little below their best at Punchestown after posting massive performances at other spring festivals.

That makes the 19-day turnaround from Livelovelaugh's awesome Topham Chase display at Aintree a concern for this €80,000 handicap, even if he appears to be in the form of his life.

Royal Rendezvous is the joint-topweight and has not been seen since finishing second in the Galway Plate, but he makes plenty of appeal from the rest of Willie Mullins' five-strong squad.

The Arthur Moore-trained Crossed My Mind, one of six in the race for JP McManus, was down the field over hurdles last time but should relish returning to fences and still could have a big pot in him off a mark of 134.

Ciaran Murphy saddled 40-1 shot Enjoy D'Allen to finish third in the Irish Grand National this month and has another live outsider in Jack Hackett, who mis likely be at his best over this trip and ground.

British hope Black Op has live chance

British-trained runners have won three of the last four runnings of this race and sole visitor Black Op, representing three-time Punchestown festival-winning trainer Tom George, is no back number.

This represents a big drop in class after he finished midfield in the King George VI Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup on his last two runs and he is potentially well handicapped off 143.

Black Op: drops in class after finishing a well-held seventh in the Gold CupCredit: John Grossick

George, speaking from France where six of his nine runners this month have collected prize-money totalling €51,970, said: "He ran a good race when seventh in the Gold Cup but his stamina was just stretched a bit coming down the hill.

"We're dropping him in trip and I don't think it'll be any problem to him. The track should suit him well and I'd imagine good to soft ground wouldn't be an issue."

What they say

Denise Foster, trainer of Chosen Mate, Minella Till Dawn, Or Jaune De Somoza and Thatsy
It hasn't happened for Chosen Mate this season, but he'll enjoy the better ground and this sort of trip might be what he wants these days. Minella Till Dawn is useful on his day. Or Jaune De Somoza is better than he's been showing, will love the ground and has an each-way squeak. Thatsy was disappointing through the winter, but he did jump better last time. He has a nice, light weight and I wouldn't be too surprised to see him run well.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Royal Rendezvous, Annamix, Livelovelaugh, Pont Aven and Blazer
Royal Rendezvous has a bit of class and will like the track and ground, but he's returning after a long layoff and it's a big ask. Annamix will improve a lot on this nice ground and could surprise us. Livelovelaugh has every chance provided it hasn't come too quickly after Aintree. Pont Aven has been disappointing and it's difficult to make a case for him. Blazer is a course winner and has been showing enough for us to persist with him. He'll like the ground and trip and has good each-way possibilities off a lovely weight.

Noel Meade, trainer of Snow Falcon
The ground will suit but he's 11 now and has plenty of weight so it won't be easy.

Snow Falcon: 2018 Kerry National winner ran creditably on his recent return at FairyhouseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Mortal and Embittered
I thought Mortal ran well for a lot of the Irish National and the drop in trip might help. Embittered took a nasty fall at Cheltenham when he looked to be going well.

Liam Cusack, trainer of Snugsborough Hall
The false starts didn't help him at Aintree but he ran well and came out of the race in good form. It's his time of year and he'll like the ground but this is very competitive.

Pat Fahy, trainer of Dunvegan
He ran a fine race at Aintree and seemed to love the fences. We're coming here with a bit of confidence because we know he'll like the track and the ground.

Ciaran Murphy, trainer of Jack Hackett
We probably ran him back a bit quickly last time before missing Fairyhouse to save him for this race. A strongly run two and a half miles on good ground will suit and he should be able to hold his place in any rough and tumble here.

Mouse Morris, trainer of Foxy Jacks
He'll love the ground and would have to have a bit of a chance off 9st 13lb if he jumps well enough.

Read more on day two at Punchestown:

5.20 Punchestown: Telmesomethinggirl takes on the boys in Grade 1 clash of three Cheltenham stars

5.55 Punchestown: redemption for Al Boum or can Clan do it for the visitors in Gold Cup cracker?

6.30 Punchestown: Mullins expecting another 'very close call' between Sir Gerhard and Kilcruit

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