Maze heads stayers' field

Asian Maze, brilliant winner of the Aintree Hurdle, is among 13 horses declared for the Whitewater Champion Stayers’ Hurdle at Punchestown on Thursday.

The Tom Mullins-trained mare slammed Hardy Eustace by 17 lengths in the Grade One over two and a half miles earlier this month.

Sky’s The Limit, trained by Edward O’Grady, reopposes despite being a further seven lengths away in third place that day.

Strangely Brown, runner-up to Sky’s The Limit in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham, is stepped up in class by trainer Eric McNamara following his win in a handicap hurdle at Aintree.

Carlys Quest, who sprang a 25-1 surprise in this race last year, represents Ferdy Murphy and is one of two British-trained challengers, the other being Jonjo O’Neill’s Fire Dragon.

Ambobo is set to have his first race since being switched by owner Sean Mulryan from Arnaud Chaille-Chaille’s French stable to Grand National-winning trainer Martin Brassil.

The field is completed by Davenport Milenium, Emotional Moment, Kadoun, Kerryhead Windfarm, Royal Paradise, Travino and Yogi.