Ruby Walsh: Elixir D’ainay is as good as any maiden we’ve run so far this season

Punchestown 14:20

Undressed will be ridden by Patrick Mullins and the tongue tie has been left off him as he ran disappointingly when wearing it at Limerick last time.

He’d have a chance on his Fairyhouse run before that, but he’ll have no hope if he runs like he did at Limerick.

Punchestown 14:50

There’s very little between our two runners here and I let Willie Mullins decide who was riding who as I couldn’t split them.

Both Harrie and Buildmeupbuttercup ended up just hanging on to win their maidens despite looking like winning them comfortably two furlongs out.

I ride Harrie who was a winner at Tramore last month on heavy ground beating his stablemate Buck’s Billionaire by half a length. He has a bit more experience than Buildmeupbuttercup and the drop back down in trip will suit him.

Paul Townend rides Buildmeupbuttercup who won a maiden hurdle at Navan on her first start for us last month and should come on from that first run over hurdles. She has lots of speed, whereas Harrie would be a stronger stayer.

Buildmeupbuttercup may end up being better in the future, but it’s hard to know who’ll be better on Sunday.

Punchestown 15:20

Mark Walsh rides Elixir D’ainay for JP McManus who makes his debut in the 22-runner maiden hurdle.

He’s a fine, big horse who goes well at home and is as good as any maiden we’ve sent to the track this season.

We’d be very hopeful of a winning start for him.

Gordon Elliott’s Vision D’honneur was fourth behind our Klassical Dream at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day and should improve for that run for Gordon Elliott.