Ruby Walsh: Energumene's stamina can prove decisive

Bob Olinger could have his colours lowered by Capodanno

Paul Townend savours the moment after steering  Energumene to victory in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham last month. Picture: Healy Racing.

2020 didn’t exist, and 2021 was a pale shadow of what Punchestown can be. 2022 promises a lot, but not everything is as it was.

The traditional curtain-raiser over Punchestown’s unique cross-country course has been moved to the seventh race on Tuesday afternoon’s card and so, for the first time that I can remember, the Ladies’ Cup will not open proceedings. But its replacement won’t be any easier to solve.