Next race off: Mullins takes aim with seven of 25 runners in €50,000 event

4.50 Punchestown
Killashee Hotel Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) | 2m½f | 4yo+ | RTE2/RTV

Willie Mullins sends a seven-strong squad into battle for this €50,000 handicap, with beaten Martin Pipe favourite Gentleman De Mee and the returning Jazzaway, who was last seen finishing a close second to Mrs Milner at the Galway festival, arguably his standout chances.

However, there is no shortage of depth in opposition to the Closutton challenge, particularly the former Charles Byrnes-trained Wonder Laish, now in the care of Robbie Burns.

The 142-rated performer is 2lb lower than when sent off 7-1 for the Galway Hurdle, and blew away the cobwebs with a nice return at Cork this month.

Exit Poll is a live danger if reverting to hurdles successfully, while Abacadabras' brother Magic Tricks and Master McShee are not overly exposed and have always appealed as potential big-handicap scorers.

Mark Walsh has sided with Magic Tricks of the five JP McManus-owned contenders, but don't count out the Liz Doyle-trained topweight Cayd Boy, who wasn't disgraced in the County Hurdle and could go well at a price with Simon Torrens taking off 3lb.

Corkery happier with Master this time

Master McShee has already taken Paddy Corkery to some of the biggest meetings in Ireland this season, but a major handicap success at Punchestown would cap a stellar campaign for the two-horse trainer and his talented novice.

Having turned down offers to sell the seven-year-old after finishing second to Appreciate It in a maiden hurdle and comfortably defeating Listed winner Atlantic Fairy at Cork, Master McShee collected a decent pot at Leopardstown over Christmas before finishing seventh at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Master McShee: has provided Ian Power and Paddy Corkery (right) with a memorable seasonCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The 142-rated performer was well held at the Fairyhouse Easter festival this month, and Corkery said: "They went a good pace last time but he had burst a blood vessel at the Dublin Racing Festival on his previous start and didn't have an ideal preparation leading up to Fairyhouse."

He added: "We were playing catch-up a bit then but things have gone more smoothly this time. He's versatile in terms of ground."

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Whiskey Sour, Gentleman De Mee, Ruaille Buaille, Dysart Diamond, Getaway Gorgeous, Jazzaway and Hybery
Whiskey Sour is returning after a long break and it's hard to see him being competitive. Gentleman De Mee ran very free at Cheltenham, so we're dropping him back in trip in the hope that it'll help him settle. Ruaille Buaille ran a promising race when third at Fairyhouse last time and that form gives her a big chance. Dysart Diamond won at Leopardstown at Christmas but she's had two poor runs since. Getaway Gorgeous has the advantage of being a course-and-distance winner but has been disappointing during the winter – maybe the spring weather will suit her better. Jazzaway hasn't run since finishing second at the Galway festival, but that form looks good in the context of this race. Her home work has been good and if the lack of a recent run doesn't catch her out she could be decent each-way value. Hybery has been very disappointing and wears cheekpieces for the first time.

Jazzaway (left): was beaten half a length by Pertemps Final heroine Mrs Milner at Galway last summerCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Denise Foster, trainer of Magic Tricks and Call Me Lyreen
Magic Tricks ran well last time and if he can match that form he should give another good account. Call Me Lyreen made an early mistake at Fairyhouse which put him on the back foot and he could never quite get into it. We know he's a decent horse from what he showed us in the autumn and hopefully he can bounce back.

Noel Meade, trainer of Jesse Evans
We gave him a break after his last run, having had this race on our minds for a while. Hopefully we'll get a bit of luck in running.

Liz Doyle, trainer of Cayd Boy
He wasn't beaten too far at Cheltenham off a 4lb higher mark. He's a speed horse and Mark [Walsh] felt that he probably didn't finish off as strongly up the hill. This track should suit him better.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Champagne Gold
I'd be hoping he can perform better than he did in the County Hurdle. Things just didn't go his way there, but he went close in a good race at Leopardstown before that.

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

5.25 Punchestown: Willie Mullins hopes two-mile experiment can make a champion of Allaho

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

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