Both the Hardy Eustace and Rooster Booster camps were fancying their chances yesterday ahead of their much awaited rematch in the Emo Oil Champion Hurdle.
The one certainty about this afternoon's race is that there will be no 33 to 1 being this time bandied about Hardy Eustace who shocked his double-seeking rival to the tune of five lengths in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Apart from that there is very little to be sure about in the €160,000 feature, which also features the star stayer Solerina and Georges Girl who beat Hardy Eustace in his last run before Cheltenham.
There was a spectacular rate of progress from the Dessie Hughes-trained Hardy Eustace in between and jockey Conor O'Dwyer reports there has been no regression since.
"I've ridden him once since Cheltenham, about 10 days ago, and if anything he seems to have put on weight. He's in super form and he certainly looks the part," O'Dwyer said yesterday.
"I've no worries about the track or the ground. That should be perfect after the few showers and I'm reasonably confident we can confirm the form," he added.
There was no shortage of hope either from Philip Hobbs, who since Cheltenham has sent out Rooster Booster to just get pipped by Rhinestone Cowboy at Liverpool.
The grey should be happier over the two-mile trip but Richard Johnson's problem will again be when to deliver Rooster Booster at the right time.
Yesterday, Hobbs said: "Rooster Booster seems in very good form and I've often thought that good ground would be ideal for him. There shouldn't be a problem with pace since Hardy Eustace and Solerina are in the race and that is important."
Punchestown is a testing track but not quite as severe as Cheltenham which suited Hardy Eustace's stamina. If Johnson gets it right this time, then a reversal of the placing's looks on.
The bet of the day, however, could be in the other Grade One contest, the Menolly Homes Champion Novice Hurdle over two and a half miles.
Willie Mullins was inclined to blame the tongue-tie that Sadlers Wings wore at Cheltenham for his failure in the SunAlliance Hurdle behind Fundamentalist. When it was left off at Fairyhouse, Sadlers Wings easily beat Point Barrow and significantly it is off again today.
Watson Lake looked brilliant at Leopardstown before failing to Brave Inca in the Deloitte in February and is probably best watched. He would also possibly prefer softer ground, so Sadlers Wings can win the race for a third running for Mullins and Ruby Walsh.
Henrietta Knight sends Rosslea for the €90,000 novice handicap chase after the young stayer missed out on what looked like a fine opportunity in Cheltenham's four-mile chase.
Rosslea would have started a warm favourite for that contest on the strength of a second to Our Vic in the Reynoldstown at Ascot which was run on fast ground. That is encouraging in today's context and the cross-channel raider can make his presence felt.
Arthur Moore runs four in the two-mile handicap chase, including the lightly-raced Incas who won it at 16 to 1 last year. He won't be that this time after being raised 9lb for a three-and-a-half length defeat of Again An Again at the Fairyhouse festival.
Able Stalwart carries the JP McManus colours in the bumper and he looks one to watch after his debut second to Gayle Abated at Fairyhouse in January.
