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Punchestown Gold Cup: Willie Mullins favouring stamina test with Ryanair Chase hero Allaho

The eight-year-old has won the last two runnings of the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in great fashion; he ran over two miles last year at Punchestown but could step up in trip to race over three miles at the 2022 festival

Allaho ridden by Paul Townend on their way to winning the Ryanair Chase (Registered As The Festival Trophy) during day three of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture date: Thursday March 17, 2022.
Image: Allaho ridden by Paul Townend to victory in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival

Allaho is more likely to run in the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup over three miles rather than drop in trip for the William Hill Champion Chase at next week's Festival.

The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old is the champion over two and a half miles having won the last two renewals of the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in scintillating style.

However, with no option over that trip at the Punchestown Festival, Mullins faced the prospect of taking on his own Energumene and Chacun Pour Soi over two miles or going for Gold over three.

Allaho ridden by Paul Townend on their way to winning the Ryanair Chase (Registered As The Festival Trophy) during day three of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture date: Thursday March 17, 2022.
Image: Allaho ridden by Paul Townend to victory in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival

"Yeah, he's very good over that trip (two and a half). I think he could stay the three miles of the Punchestown race," said Mullins.

"If Energumene or Chacun Pour Soi weren't in the two-mile race (in which he was second to Chacun Pour Soi last year), I'd love to go back some day over two miles with him. He has that sort of ability.

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"The way that the race is setting up this year, I think we'll go for the three-mile with him. I imagine Henry de Bromhead might have a say in that race too! He's got the top staying chasers around as well."

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