Champagne set to complete Bumper double

QUEL ESPRIT looks the safest proposition in thetote.com Punchestown Gold Cup at the second stage of the festival this evening.

This is a contest in which it is easy enough to find fault with literally all of the ten possibilities, but Willie Mullins’ charge does appear to have the most solid credentials.

Plagued by indifferent jumping since being launched over fences, he was given two confidence-boosting spins this season, as a prelude to producing a career-best performance in the Hennessy at Leopardstown in February. His technique was almost faultless that day, as he made most of the running to beat Roberto Goldback by two lengths.