Next race off: Mullins hopes two-mile experiment can make a champion of Allaho

5.25 Punchestown
William Hill Champion Chase (Grade 1) | 2m | 5yo+ | RTE2/RTV

Willie Mullins is eager to see if breathtaking Ryanair Chase winner Allaho has the necessary pace to be one the become one of the top two-mile chasers in training next season, suggesting that the outcome of Tuesday's scintillating William Hill Champion Chase will have a bearing on the seven-year-old's 2021-22 campaign.

Cheveley Park's ace performer produced a dominant front-running display when bolting up at the Cheltenham Festival and is set for his first chasing start over shorter than 2m4f.

Rachael Blackmore, who took no prisoners in that 12-length demolition job, maintains the partnership with the 2020 RSA Chase third.

"We'll see today if he has the pace for two miles against specialist two milers and this will give us an indication as to what direction we go with him next season," said Mullins.

"I love horses that jump as quick as him and if you can jump that quick, usually you can come back in trip."

Ireland's champion trainer has won the €250,000 prize on five occasions and Chacun Pour Soi – who made his Grade 1 breakthrough at this festival in 2019 – has marginally been the ante-post favourite throughout the past week.

"Paul [Townend] takes the ride on Chacun Pour Soi and his form over this trip looks the best on offer here," said Mullins of the nine-year-old officially rated 2lb inferior to Allaho.

"I just didn't think we made enough use of him [at Cheltenham]. Maybe our tactics just let us down, it's easy to be wise afterwards."

Cilaos Emery: talented operator will be ridden by Brian HayesCredit: Patrick McCann

Despite being let down by his jumping at times over fences, Cilaos Emery could be a potential dark horse at a big price in the seven-strong field. He is having his first start at Punchestown since upsetting Melon in the 2017 Herald Champion Novice Hurdle.

Brian Hayes, enjoying the best season of his career, rides the 163-rated performer for the first time in public and Mullins said: "We're taking the hood off and he possibly needs another half a mile at this stage of his career, but we're hoping he might pick up some nice place money."

Skelton: we've always thought Nube Negra would be top class

British-trained runners have plundered this top-level event on nine of the last 22 occasions and the visiting party have strong claims of taking the prize home again this time around, spearheaded by Cheltenham runner-up Nube Negra.

Dan Skelton has only ever had two runners at Punchestown festival but has fared relatively well on both occasions. Optimus Prime was second in the 2018 Ryanair Novice Chase while Aux Ptits Soins was not beaten far in fifth in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle a year later.

The leading trainer has never made any secret of the regard in which he holds Nube Negra, who is out to confirm Cheltenham form with Chacun Pour Soi after finishing a length in front of that rival when second to the ultra-game Put The Kettle On.

Nube Negra (near): finished second to Put The Kettle On in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Tim Goode (Getty Images)

"He travelled over on Sunday and he's settled in nicely," said Skelton. "The ground and the track should be perfect for him."

He added of the Desert Orchid Chase winner: "It's a very deep race but it should be a great contest and we're looking forward to it. We always thought he'd be top class, you've just got to wait and see that in action. He's had two great runs and we've just got to go out there and give it our best shot."

Next season's Queen Mother Champion Chase market should be impacted by whatever the outcome on Tuesday, with Allaho currently the 8-1 second favourite behind 6-4 chance Shishkin.

Chacun Pour Soi is a top-priced 12-1 shot with Sky Bet for glory in the premier two-mile chase at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival, while Nube Negra can be backed at 20-1 with bet365.

What they say

Pat Fahy, trainer of Castlegrace Paddy
We were delighted with his run at Fairyhouse when he might well have won if getting away from the last better over two and a half miles. This has been his best year in terms of soundness and I'm hoping he'll run a big race. He's entitled to be here.

Noel Meade, trainer of Daly Tiger
We were toying with the idea of running him off a big weight in a handicap but we took a chance on this race possibly cutting up. Unfortunately it hasn't and he looks to have it all to do.

Kim Bailey, trainer of First Flow
We're very happy with him but the ground will be a big change for him – any rain would be a big benefit for us. It's an unbelievably competitive race and if we were to finish in the first three I'd be delighted. David [Bass, jockey] rode work on him a week ago and was delighted. Going right-handed will be a big plus and that's why we're going. David nearly pulled him up at Cheltenham because he was having trouble steering him and he's always had a preference for going that way. We have limited options given that so that's why we decided to go to Punchestown while the horse is fit and well.

Read more on day one at Punchestown:

4.15 Punchestown: Paul Townend puts faith in Blue Lord for Grade 1 clash with Echoes In Rain

4.50 Punchestown: Willie Mullins takes aim with seven of the 25 runners in €50,000 handicap hurdle

6.30 Punchestown: Envoi Allen v Monkfish, the heavyweight showdown we have all been waiting for

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