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Penhill declared for Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle

Penhill ridden by Paul Townend on their way to victory in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle during Gold Cup Day of the 2017 Cheltenham Festival at Chelte
Image: Penhill on his way to victory in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Cheltenham Festival hero Penhill is one of four runners for Willie Mullins in the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on Wednesday.

The Tony Bloom-owned six-year-old claimed the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Prestbury Park last month, a performance which sets the standard in this Grade One contest.

Mullins also saddles Al Boum Photo, an impressive winner at Fairyhouse at the start of the month, Bon Papa and Tin Soldier.

Title rival Gordon Elliott relies upon Champagne Classic, who steps up in grade after winning Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

There is a third Festival winner in the field in the form of Patrick Kelly's Pertemps Final victor Presenting Percy.

Monalee, runner-up to Penhill in the Albert Bartlett, renews rivalry for trainer Henry de Bromhead.

The Noel Meade-trained Moulin A Vent completes the eight-strong line-up.

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A field of seven runners will go to post for the Punchestown Champion INH Flat Race.

The Elliott-trained Fayonagh came from last to first to win the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and bids to follow up.

The Cullentra handler also saddles Navan scorer Poli Roi.

Carter McKay, who disappointed at Cheltenham, is the sole representative for Mullins, who has saddled five of the last six winners of this event.

Jessica Harrington's Someday, De Bromhead's Paloma Blue, the John McConnell-trained Go Another One and Gary Moore's British challenger Dell Oro are the other contenders.

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