Punchestowns can knock out the opposition in RSA Chase

PUNCHESTOWNS has won his fitness battle now it is time for him to step up to the plate in the RSA Chase on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Trainer Nicky Henderson revealed Punchestowns had been suffering a problem with intermittent lameness at the start of the month but the vibes from Seven Barrows have been highly positive since.

The seven-year-old made a speedy recovery and his routine suffered the minimum of interference so he forms part of an enviable two-pronged assault on the race for Henderson.