9 set to go to post in the Punchestown Champion Hunters Chase

9 horses have been declared for the Star Best Racing Champion Hunters Chase at Punchestown on Friday which is due off at 18:35.

The €30,000 contest takes place over an extended three miles and no less than a third of the field have previously been successful in this contest.

The sole English raider Caid Du Berlais is back to defend his title this season, after running out the wide margin winner of the 2018 renewal for Rose Loxton. The 10-year-old bids to bounce back to form here having pulled up on his last start under Will Biddick, but certainly couldn’t be discredited.  

Salsify and Balnaslow took this contest in 2011 and 2017 respectively and while both are now in the veteran stages of their careers both have been running with credit for their connections this season.

The Gordon Elliott-trained Ucello Conti is likely to be sent off favourite and this three-time winning Hunter Chaser should certainly have a huge chance under Barry O’Neill, following his recent success at Fairyhouse.

Burning Ambition is also sure to be well fancied having ran a huge race in defeat Aintree Foxhunters, the son of Scorpion is set to be ridden once again by Rob James.

Derek O’Connor fresh from his success aboard Gypsy Island on Wednesday, teams up with Enda Bolger to partner Stand Up And Fight, who was one of the leading fancies for the Cheltenham Foxhunters. The seven-year-old certainly wasn’t disgraced on that occasion and connections will be hopeful of a nice run. 

Recent Tetratema winner Fenno’s Storm is declared, although connections may have been hoping for a little more rain. The eight-year-old is a ten-time winner and considering the recent form of his handler Declan Queally, the son of September Storm should play a big part here.

It Came To Pass could be a dark horse here under Maxine O’Sullivan, the nine-year-old has won his last three starts including a Cork Hunters Chase and is still somewhat unexposed despite his age.

Macs Legend completes the line-up having run with plenty of credit in both open company and in Hunter Chases this season, Eoin O’Brien takes the mount as regular rider Michael O’Sullivan is out injured.

To see the full declarations click here.