Trainer Ferdy Murphy is assembling an interesting team for next week's Punchestown Festival. Paddy's Return, winner of the Champion Stayers' Hurdle at the track in 1997, is now heading for the Quinns of Baltinglass La Touche Cup on Thursday.
German-bred hurdler Dominikus and Moonlake will be bidding for some of the rich handicap hurdle prizes on offer at the Kildare venue. Murphy also intends sending bumper horse Island Faith for the Paddy Power.com bumper on the Wednesday. A decision on the participation of Woodfield Gale will be made after he runs at Newcastle today.
David's Lad and Dorans Pride are both unlikely to run at the Festival. The former's trainer Tony Martin confirmed that last year's Irish Grand National winner would be entered in the Heineken Gold Cup and the BMW Chase but he would have to be "jumping out of his skin" to run at the meeting. Similarly Doran Pride is likely to appear in the entries for the Heineken Gold Cup but he is likely to run in a chase at Sandown on the Saturday instead.
Alexander Milenium, who disappointed when pulled up at Cheltenham, could return to action in the Paddy Power Champion Bumper. Trainer Willie Mullins has indicated on is website that the horse has fully recovered from his Cheltenham setback and he will be entered for the Punchestown race at Thursday's deadline. Stable companion Clounties Hill and Joueur d'Estruval, who were both impressive winners recently, could join Alexander Milenium in the line-up for next Wednesday's contest.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
